Amazon News: TikTok Shop Buzz, Cyber Monday Costs, & Winning E-Commerce Strategies
Hey Fellow Amazon Sellers,
It’s another week packed with insights for Amazon sellers! From TikTok Shop’s growing appeal to Cyber Monday advertising shifts, we’re covering the latest developments that could shape your selling strategy. Let’s dive in!
News
Amazon Sellers Are Flocking to TikTok Shop Despite Ban Uncertainty
Amazon sellers are increasingly turning to TikTok Shop as a new e-commerce goldmine, drawn by low fees, deep discounts funded by TikTok, and access to millions of impulsive shoppers on the platform. Brands like Beachwaver and Scrub Daddy have seen massive success through viral videos and live selling events, with some sellers reporting six-figure monthly sales.
Even as a potential U.S. ban looms, sellers are capitalizing on TikTok’s growth, prioritizing the platform’s unique reach while preparing contingency plans for Amazon and their websites. For now, TikTok remains a hot opportunity for sellers eager to boost visibility and profits.
Amazon Updates Product Bundling Policy for Consumables: What Sellers Need to Know
Amazon has updated its Product Bundling Policy for consumables to ensure products are safe and authentic, especially those ingested or used by children and pets. Sellers can only list manufacturer-prepackaged bundles or reconfigured bundles with a Letter of Authorization from the brand, and all items must belong to the same brand.
Gift baskets remain an exception, allowing products from multiple brands if they are physically packaged for gifting. The new rules are effective immediately for new bundles, while enforcement for existing bundles will begin on January 1, 2025.
Porch Pirates Using Uber Drivers to Steal Packages
Porch pirates have developed a new tactic—hiring unsuspecting Uber drivers to pick up packages under false pretenses and redirect them elsewhere. In one case, an Uber driver was arrested after unknowingly being used in a theft scheme involving a homeowner’s newly delivered package.
Amazon has shared tips to combat package theft, such as specifying hidden drop-off locations or requiring alternate delivery addresses, but sellers should also prioritize signature-required shipping for high-value items. Without proper safeguards, sellers risk losing claims for non-receipt despite purchasing shipping insurance.
Breaking News: Amazon’s 2025 Fee Changes – Discounts, Distance Costs, and Double-Talk
Amazon’s 2025 fee updates bring new discounts and changes to Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD), Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF), and Supply Chain Managed Services, but sellers should proceed cautiously. The AWD “Smart Storage Discount” now requires maintaining steady inventory levels, adding complexity for sellers with fluctuating demand.
MCD outbound fees will shift to distance-based pricing, making AWD less cost-effective for long-haul shipments and requiring sellers to rethink their distribution strategies.
While Amazon’s Supply Chain Managed Service offers discounts and convenience by handling end-to-end logistics, sellers must weigh the cost of flexibility. MCF fees will also rise 3.5% on average, signaling added expenses for multi-channel sellers.
Amazon Rolls Out Auto-Filled Attributes to Save Sellers Time
Amazon’s new Auto-Filled Attributes feature aims to simplify the listing process for sellers, especially those managing large catalogs or launching products frequently. This update allows sellers to save commonly used product details—such as brand name, material, and age range—and auto-populate them for future listings.
Jon Elder highlights that this change significantly reduces repetitive work, improving efficiency for sellers dealing with similar product types. While a small update, it’s a big win for saving time and streamlining workflows.
2025 Amazon Fee Updates: Stability and Savings for Sellers
Amazon announced that US referral and FBA fees will remain unchanged in 2025, with a focus on simplicity and reducing sellers’ operational burdens. Key updates include lower inbound placement service fees for large bulky products and waived fees for new ASINs under the FBA New Selection Program for up to 100 units.
Additionally, Amazon is enhancing incentives for new product selection, offering greater discounts for high-demand items and everyday essentials. These changes aim to drive growth while keeping costs stable for sellers.
Alibaba Restructures to Compete with Temu and Amazon Haul
Alibaba is consolidating its domestic and international e-commerce platforms under a single entity, the Alibaba E-Commerce Business Group, to strengthen its position against rising competition from Temu and Amazon Haul. This restructure will integrate platforms like AliExpress, Tmall, and Lazada, enhancing global supply chain efficiency and supporting small- to medium-sized merchants.
Jiang Fan, a rising executive, has been appointed CEO of the new group, signaling Alibaba’s focus on younger leadership to adapt to the competitive e-commerce landscape. The move highlights Alibaba’s commitment to defending its market share as low-cost competitors reshape global e-commerce.
New Feature: Edit Coupon Discounts Without Recreating
Amazon sellers can now increase discount amounts on active coupons without having to recreate them, saving time and effort when managing promotions.
This update allows sellers to quickly adjust discounts to accommodate inventory changes and respond to market conditions. However, discounts can only be increased to maintain customer trust.
Cyber Monday Ad Costs Jump 16% As Amazon Advertisers Chase Late Shoppers
Amazon sellers faced increased competition during Cyber Monday as advertising costs surged by 16% compared to Black Friday, with cost-per-click reaching $2.12. Despite an earlier start to holiday promotions, many brands reserved significant budgets for Cyber Monday, driving up ad spend by 23.3% year-over-year.
Brands prioritized conversion-focused Sponsored Products ads, which offered 30% lower costs-per-click than Sponsored Brands, while electronics emerged as the strongest-performing category. The data highlights the need for sellers to balance early-season promotions with peak-day ad investments for future holiday campaigns.
The Coffee Grinder Hustle That Made One Guy a Fortune
Robert Gomez turned a simple coffee grinder into a multimillion-dollar brand, Kaffe, starting small with one product and leveraging Amazon’s platform. By focusing on standout branding, quality product photos, and detailed descriptions, he made his grinder a success, scaling to over $10 million in sales.
When the pandemic hit, Gomez adapted quickly to supply chain disruptions by using Amazon Global Logistics to ship directly from China, keeping his products in stock while competitors struggled. His story highlights the importance of starting small, anticipating challenges, and refining strategies to thrive on Amazon.
Seller Tips & Tricks
Leverage ChatGPT to Fix Common Amazon PPC Mistakes
Many Amazon sellers struggle with PPC campaign inefficiencies, such as poor keyword research, wasted ad spend, and ineffective bid management. ChatGPT can help streamline these issues by generating high-converting keywords, identifying negative keywords to filter irrelevant clicks, and suggesting bid adjustments for better ROI.
Additionally, sellers can use ChatGPT to create segmented campaigns, improving targeting and overall ad performance. This AI-driven approach ensures PPC campaigns are optimized to maximize profitability and stay competitive.
How to Rank for Keywords on Amazon: 7 Tactics to Boost Sales in 2025
Ranking higher on Amazon requires optimized product listings, focusing on high-value keywords and maximizing conversions through compelling copy and high-quality images. Incorporating video content, leveraging A+ Content (Brand Registry), and driving external traffic can boost visibility while improving engagement metrics to strengthen search performance.
Building an email list and using your own website to drive traffic to Amazon listings also provide long-term benefits by increasing sales velocity and reducing dependency on paid ads. Reviews remain critical for boosting rankings, as they directly impact customer trust and Amazon’s algorithm performance.
10 Tips to Protect Your Amazon Packages This Holiday Season and Beyond
Amazon provides tools to help customers safeguard packages, including real-time tracking, hidden drop-off instructions, and Photo-on-Delivery confirmation. Prime members can designate a specific delivery day, ship to secure alternate locations, or opt for Amazon Key for in-garage deliveries.
Additional features like sharing tracking details with friends, using Ring security devices, and receiving delivery window estimates offer added layers of protection. For any issues, Amazon’s 24/7 Customer Service ensures support to address delivery concerns quickly.
A Complete Guide to Amazon Vine
Amazon Vine connects sellers with trusted reviewers who provide honest, detailed feedback on new or low-review products, helping boost credibility and visibility. Sellers can enroll products into the program, allowing selected top reviewers to test items for free and share unbiased opinions, with reviews clearly labeled as “Vine Customer Review of Free Product.”
While Vine reviews can significantly influence purchasing decisions, sellers must accept both positive and negative feedback. For sellers, this program is an opportunity to generate early traction and improve product rankings, but it requires a strategic approach to leverage its full potential.
Amazon’s Thank My Driver Holiday Promotion is Back—Here’s How It Works
Amazon has relaunched its “Thank My Driver” promotion, allowing customers to show appreciation to delivery drivers during the holiday season. By saying, “Alexa, thank my driver,” or searching “thank my driver” on Amazon, customers can send a thank-you to their most recent driver, and for the first 2 million thank-yous, Amazon will give the driver $5 at no cost to the customer.
This initiative highlights Amazon’s commitment to recognizing drivers’ hard work during peak delivery seasons and offers sellers insight into Amazon’s customer-centric approach during holidays. It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate the drivers ensuring Amazon orders arrive on time.
Country-Specific Images: A Must for Amazon Sellers Expanding Globally
Vanessa Hung emphasizes the importance of managing country-specific images on Amazon to maintain compliance and enhance localized appeal. This feature allows sellers to organize global and regional visuals, keeping listings compliant with Amazon’s evolving standards and reducing the risk of deactivation.
Sellers must ensure the inclusion of the main image alongside country-specific variants, as Amazon requires both for proper display. By leveraging this tool, Amazon sellers can cater to diverse regional audiences while maintaining brand consistency across international marketplaces.
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A Lesson When Selling Expensive Items on eBay
A seller shared a costly experience where a $750 item was shipped with full insurance via eBay’s UPS, but without a required signature confirmation. When the buyer claimed non-receipt, eBay refunded the buyer, citing their policy that items over $750 must include signature confirmation—a requirement not clearly communicated in the shipping process.
Despite filing a claim with UPS, the seller received no resolution and was left with a $750 loss. The key takeaway for sellers: always use signature confirmation for high-value items to avoid disputes and financial setbacks.
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Top Upcoming Amazon Events
B2B ONLINE EUROPE – December 4-5, 2024, Hilton Dusseldorf, Germany
B2B MARKETING EXCHANGE – February 24-26, 2025, Scottsdale Arizona, USA
AMAZON HACKING LIVE 2025 – January 25, 2025, Berlin, Germany
VENDOR CONNECT 2025 – February 27, 2025, London, United Kingdom
Stay informed, stay ahead, and keep growing your Amazon business.
God Bless,
Todd Welch
Amazon Seller School