Mask Mandates Re-instated; Amazon 2Q Recap; Supply Chain Optimization
With the COVID-19 Delta variant on the rise, last week the CDC recommended that all individuals should wear masks in public indoor areas, regardless of vaccination status. In response to the CDC’s announcement, big-name retailers have started to re-instate their mask-mandates including Target, Walmart, Kroger, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Publix, and…
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eCommerce Supply Chain – Capability Investments; Grocery Delivery; Fulfillment Evolution
Only 26% of brands report bringing a "strategic approach" to eCommerce operational investments. When it comes to brands’ eCommerce supply chain, 74% of companies report approaching operational capability investments with a "tactical mindset." This would require significant business volume to validate investments, addressing issues in a reactionary manner, and…
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Prime Day Membership Bump, Hybrid Selling Model, & Post-Pandemic Grocery Shopping
Our research suggests an uptick in interest among brands to pursue the hybrid model on Amazon. This means brands would maintain their 1P retail relationship with Amazon’s retail team while also offering assortment on the 3P marketplace, either via the brand itself or through a partnership with another 3P…
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Amazon DSP, BigCommerce Partnership & Post COVID-Consumer Survey
While Sponsored Products (paid search) remains the biggest focus for brands advertising on Amazon, brands continue to expand beyond paid search to leverage Amazon’s broader advertising capabilities, to reach consumers higher on the funnel, and as CPCs are generally rising (and therefore ROAS is relatively declining) within paid search.…
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Amazon Priority Catalogue and Supplier Pack Hierarchy
Our most recent eCommerce research report overs Amazon’s new Priority Catalog beta (aka “brand lock” or “catalog lock”). The catalogue is a part of an effort to minimize the ability of 3P sellers to disrupt product page content and create unruly variations. The program effectively “locks” the brand owner’s…
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Prime Day Recap; Recent eCommerce Conferences; Target Promotional Activity
Amazon released a Prime Day statement on in the form of an eCommerce research report. The statement detailed the sales of small business products from the two-week "Spend $10, Get $10" promotion leading up to Prime Day, which was up 100%+ vs. the last Prime Day. Additionally, customers purchased more than…
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Frustration-Free Packaging and Price Increases at Amazon; Brands Compete for Search
Amazon recently launched an incentive program for vendors in regards to the pre-existing Frustration-Free Packaging program which includes incentives for both sortable and non-sortable ASINs. Vendors will receive incentives for units shipped between October 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022. On the site, manufacturers are able to calculate their estimated incentive.…
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Amazon Invests in Rx & Prime Day Inventory; Price Increases to Continue in 2021
Amazon is looking to expand within the U.S. pharmacy and virtual care markets. Our research indicates the company’s current priority within that space is to have their digital capabilities fully vetted prior to partnering/buying brick and mortar assets. We believe a central part of Amazon’s pharmacy strategy is Amazon…
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Instacart: Sales Growth and International Expansion; iOS 14 Privacy Changes
Instacart has emerged from 2020 as one of the top priority online grocery accounts for branded manufacturers. Our research suggests 1Q sales growth with Instacart was very strong, while 2Q sales growth has decelerated significantly due to much tougher comparisons. Recent sales trends appear largely in-line with plan, and…
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