🎄 Prime Day in July: The Ultimate Summer Holiday! 🎄

Seasons Greetings Vendorville,

Prime Day is July 16th-17th, and for those who participate, it can feel like Christmas in July. 🎄

On the other hand, an event of this size can positively and negatively impact your business. If you’re unaware of the changes at Amazon, be prepared to feel like you have coal in your stocking after being good all year.

SupplierWiki is watching out for your business and pulling out some crucial tips to keep your sleigh running smoothly.

Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty exclaiming proudly,

🚚 1. Regionalizing Receiving Network: New Destinations Await!

Santa's sleigh might know the way to every rooftop, but for vendors, it's time to gear up for some new routes:

Amazon is regionalizing its receiving network starting in Q3. So starting July, 2-3 weeks before Prime Day, you might notice your orders heading to new, unexpected locations.
- The new cross-dock location (IXD) will be the only change on the PO; order volume should stay the same.
However, past July, there may be lower regional order variability over time as Amazon optimizes regional inventory placement to align with customer demand.

Best Practices

Before Prime Day:
- Update product availability signals in Vendor Central or via EDI to enable quality purchase orders.
- Plan safety stock for long-lead order products.
- Re-review forecasts and align manufacturing and allocation with expected orders.

After Prime Day:
- Review your POs that could be linked to Amazon issues with regionalizing their receiving network.

🎁 An Extra Gift: you can integrate with Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS) and subscribe to the following notification types to receive real-time data feeds: inventory event change, sales event change, and detail traffic page event. Read more on this here.

📦 2. Transition from SIOC/FFP to SIPP: Packaging Evolution

Amazon’s consolidating and simplifying SIOC (Ship In Own Container) and FFP (Frustration-Free Packaging) to the sleeker SIPP (Ship In Product Packaging).

TL;DR – The main differences between SIOC and SIPP are:

Chargeback rates go from a flat $1.99 to a variable rate based on weight.
A new exclusion will apply for products (aka ASINs) that have existed for at least eight months and have shipped to Amazon less than 250 units in the trailing 12 months.

A table showing the different chargebacks per unit shipped to Amazon for various product shipping weights.

**Products that weigh 50 lb or more (actual or shipping weight) are excluded from this chargeback.

Luckily, these changes are going into effect in January 2025, so circle back to this after the rush of Prime Day has worn off.

After Prime Day:

Before 2024 ends, make sure any ASINs that fit the criteria are SIPP certified.
Keep in mind the SIPP program exclusions to fight any invalid charges.

🎁 An Extra Gift: Stay ahead of the curve to avoid compliance chargebacks and shortages by understanding How Amazon's Receive Process Impacts Suppliers - SupplierWiki.

SupplierWiki Wishes you a Merry Prime Day!

Retailer News 🗞️

What is Supply Chain Resilience?

"In today's rapidly evolving global market, supply chain resilience is the key to thriving amidst uncertainty. A healthy supply chain does not just weather disruptions; it anticipates them, adapts swiftly, and emerges stronger."

Walmart Deals 2024: Everything you need to know about the July sale event
"Walmart just announced its largest savings event ever and previewed some of the can’t miss markdowns."

PepsiCo experiments with Smart Cans, AI tech to improve personalization

"At Cannes Lions, the marketer showed off a new AI Hydration Coach for Gatorade and connected device for Pepsi inspired by its can shape."

Rick’s Tips 💘

"Ever get code 60s and 94s?These are return center deductions, which are not disputable in APDP. They are identified by their Store and Division numbers that come off the check lines. To dispute them, check out these articles."

Code 60: Handling Charge as Documented - SupplierWiki

Code 94: Goods Returned/Defective Merchandise - SupplierWiki

The Difference Between Retailer Deductions And Allowances - SupplierWiki

Let’s Circle Back 🌀

A group of young women doing a synchronized dance on a high-rise balcony.

It’s 7/11 – typically a hot day in July, an iconic Beyoncé song, and a perfect pit stop for a Slurpee.

Here are 3 fun things about 7/11:

History of a Slurpee 🥤(we also learned that an ICEE is like a Slurpee, but not a slushie)
Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, has had a cultural and fiscal impact. Denim and western wear are soaring, as reflected in Levi’s Q1 earnings call. 👖
It may be hot here in Vendorville – but Rick is staying cool in Mexico.

P.S. there’s only 6-8 weeks left of summer. We’re giving you permission to GTFO on PTO. ☀️

A picture of a One-Click Rick plushie being held outside of the famous Hotel California.

Photo Cred: Jennifer Cleek, CSM

❤️ Sincerely, Your Friends in Vendorville

Prime Day Prepping + Amazon Updates