AMZ Watchdog

🤔 I don't need to sell on Amazon.

🚀 Nike Digital sales grew 24% year over year as the retailer's third-quarter total revenue grew 14% to $12.39 billion.

🚀 Nike Digital sales growth started with Amazon exit

(from DigitalCommerce360 - link in comments)

This is good news for Nike but I believe it paints a false picture for most brands. I hear it often

"Amazon is a pain in the @$$ and I don't think I need to be there. I mean, It worked for Nike, right?"

This always puts me in the awkward position of finding creative ways to say

"I am not sure you have the brand awareness of Nike at this point."

Is Amazon challenging? Yes. Are most brands prepared to deal with all the issues that come from selling on the platform? Not even close.

E-commerce has evolved massively over the last decade and each of the sales channels is at a point where they require a full-time person (or team) just to manage the nuances of the different platforms. That's why we always recommend partnering with an agency that is an expert in each so that the brand can focus on all the other elements of growing its sales and profitability.

If you aren't a Nike or a Birkenstock, don't jump from the platform just yet. Partner with an Amazon agency that is the right size for your business and let them help you grow.

I really hate to see it when a brand decides that they have to forego one of the largest e-commerce sites in the world because they have lost control of the sales channel.

Things used to be much simpler.

Manufacturer ---> Distributor ---> Retail

Everybody stayed in their lane and everyone could optimize each aspect of their business.

But things have dramatically changed. Manufacturers now sell direct. On paper it looks easy, right? "Just sell online!"

But what does 'online' mean? You would think it means:

Manufacturer ---> Online Retail

But it really means:

Manufacturer ---> Amazon
Manufacturer ---> Walmart
Manufacturer ---> Home Depot
Manufacturer ---> Bed Bath and Beyond
Manufacturer ---> Cosco
Manufacturer ---> Sam's Club
Manufacturer ---> Brand's own website
Manufacturer ---> Target
Manufacturer ---> Etc.

It is no wonder why brands are stretched so thin.

And you STILL need to focus on your brick-and-mortar. Brands cannot be experts in every channel all at once. I see it every day.

Partner with an agency that is an expert in a particular sales channel and let them handle every aspect of the business for each market.

Are you seeing positive changes or more of the same?

🔍 Amazon's Battle Against Counterfeits: A Game-Changer in Brand Protection 🛡️

Amazon's 3rd annual Brand Protection Report reveals their strides in fighting counterfeits, with criminal referrals and industry partnerships at an all-time high. Their strategic combo of cutting-edge technology and experts effectively stopped 6 million counterfeit products in 2022 alone! 💪

Key Progress Areas in Amazon's Brand Protection:
1️⃣ Robust proactive controls 🚨
2️⃣ Powerful tools for brands 🛠️
3️⃣ Accountability for bad actors ⚖️
4️⃣ Protecting & educating customers 📚

✋ Deterrence of Bad Actors: Enhanced seller verification & advanced machine learning helped stop over 800,000 new selling account attempts in 2022. This is a massive drop from 6 million attempts in 2020!

🌐 Expanded Adoption of Protection Tools: With increased adoption of brand protection programs, valid notices of infringement filed by brands decreased by over 35%.

👩‍⚖️ Holding Counterfeiters Accountable: Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit sued or referred 1,300+ criminals for investigation in 2022. Their partnership with brands and law enforcement has led to identifying, seizing, and disposing of 6 million counterfeit products.

🛍️ Strengthening Consumer Education: Amazon, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, launched marketing campaigns to educate over 70 million consumers about safe shopping and the dangers of counterfeits.

🤔 What are your thoughts on Amazon's efforts to combat counterfeiting?

It is hard enough for brands to legitimately defend their IP. Very glad to see that nefarious sellers are getting pinched for the black hat technique of taking down competitors' listings based on bogus claims.

AMZ Watchdog updated their website address.

Welcome!

AMZ Watchdog is the premier brand protection agency for businesses seeking permanent solutions to stop unauthorized sellers violating minimum ad pricing (MAP), stealing the “buy box”, and harming your brand’s hard-earned reputation with counterfeits, and anyone infringing on utility and design patents.

It's now easier to contact AMZ Watchdog.

AMZ Watchdog updated their phone number.

AMZ Watchdog updated their business hours.