Top 5 Amazon News for November 2022
Each month, we monitor Amazon news and updates to seize opportunities as well as to avoid potential problems before they become an issue for us and our clients.
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Here we share the top updates and news for November 2022:
1. Improve Conversions with New A/B Testing Features (USA & Canada)
Amazon announcement:
“Manage Your Experiments has launched two new features to optimize your A/B tests and publish your winning content faster.
The Title and Image notifications feature has been implemented to inform you when content you want to test is too similar to your current content and may not deliver conclusive results. Conclusive results help ensure you have productive content and can increase your likelihood of getting better test results.
The ability to auto-publish the winning content is now available for title and image experiments. You can choose to auto-publish the winning content so that once a test is complete, you do not have to go back into your product listing to update the content, because we would have automatically done it for you. Amazon will only publish the winning content version if it is at least 66% better than the other content version.”
ProMerit Tip: A/B testing is a great tool for deciding what is best to publish in a listing, but it’s vital to ensure the two content options are differentiated enough as minor changes may not deliver conclusive results. This can be done by highlighting different benefits of the products, or simply explaining its different uses, if applicable. Don’t forget to keep an eye on consumer feedback and FAQs, as these are strong tools that show what users look for and value.
In other news, the auto-publish ability will save time for our business, though it’s always useful to go back from time to time and note what worked best in our content.
2. Update to automated inventory removals starts October 14 (USA & Canada)
Amazon announcement:
“To create more room for your products as we approach the holiday season, we’re making a change to the automated removal of unfulfillable inventory.
Starting October 14, 2022, we’ll automatically remove unfulfillable inventory that’s been in fulfillment centers for more than 14 days. Previously, the removals applied to unfulfillable inventory that was in fulfillment centers for more than 30 days.
If you previously configured your settings to remove unfulfillable inventory on a monthly basis, the frequency will be updated to twice a month starting October 14.”
ProMerit Tip: The only change for sellers would be to change the frequency with which we check unfulfillable inventory, as it will be 14 days instead of 30 days, as well as reviewing our re-stock policies. Also keep in mind that per-item removal fees apply, so try to avoid them. And as a final tip, you can choose to have unsellable inventory returned to you automatically or disposed, by enabling this service in your seller account.
3. Automatic removal of your aged FBA inventory (Canada)
Amazon announcement:
“Starting on September 15, 2022, Amazon will automatically remove aged inventory unless you’ve opted out. We will take this step in order to create more room for the approaching holiday season.
Aged inventory refers to units that have been in a fulfilment centre for more than 365 days. Automated removal of aging inventory can help you save on aged inventory surcharges and improve your Inventory Performance Index score.”
ProMerit Tip: Amazon has started to automatically remove aged inventory. To mitigate this, go to “Settings”, then “Automated fulfillable inventory”, and make sure to provide a valid return address, otherwise the inventory will be automatically donated, recycled, or disposed of. Remember automated removals cannot be cancelled once they have been created, so go and update your settings as soon as possible.
4. Changes to OTC drugs and natural health product listings from 2023 (Canada)
Amazon announcement:
“Starting in the first quarter of 2023, all new and existing listings of OTC drugs and NHPs for sale on Amazon.ca without the following information will begin to be removed from sale on Amazon.ca:
- Images showing product label information in both English and French, including a list of ingredients.
- Images of a Health Canada authorization number on the label, for example, Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) and the like, as is applicable.
- Product claims that comply with relevant Health Canada requirements. For more information, see the Additional Useful Information section on the: Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia & Dietary Supplements page.
All scheduled substances, narcotics and paraphernalia listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are prohibited from sale on Amazon.ca.
You may not be aware that you sell products that Health Canada considers OTC drugs or NHPs, as it can be hard to identify which products qualify and why.”
ProMerit Tip: This change has already been impacting this category of products. Whenever you wish to sell an OTC drug or a natural health product, you’ll need to take careful note of all these requirements as Amazon is enforcing them strictly, blocking approvals and delaying them until you present every image, authorization number, and use only authorized product claims.
5. Updates to Canada Multi-Channel Fulfilment fees effective November 12 (Canada)
Amazon announcement:
“As we continue to respond to challenges brought about by the global economic situation, we will update Multi-Channel Fulfilment (MCF) fees in Canada on November 12, 2022.
The MCF pick and pack fees and special handling fees will increase, and the weight handling fees will include a fuel and inflation surcharge.
These updates reflect the rising costs of fulfilment, transportation, and warehousing, and will ensure that we can continue to provide the delivery speed, reliability and quality of service expected from Amazon.
To continue to support your business growth, we’ve made the following improvements to our fulfilment and delivery network:
- Achieved an on-time delivery rate of over 99%
- Invested in increasing capacity to help meet rising demand
We’ll also launch unbranded packaging in Canada by Q4 this year, which will be available for no additional fee.”
ProMerit Tip: As has been happening in multiple countries for a variety of reasons, Amazon recently confirmed an update on the Multi-Channel Fulfilment Fee for Canada effective from this month onwards. For each of your products, you will need to go and check the tables they share, to better understand the exact impact you’ll have on your business.
The product size tier that’s used for the weight handling fee is determined by using the dimensions of the shipping package and the shipping weight. Remember, FBA fees are subject to Canadian taxes, such as the goods and services tax and the harmonized sales tax. If you check the FBA fee schedule, keep in mind it does not include those taxes.
We hope this article is helpful for your businesses. Please note that the above announcements have been sourced from Amazon’s official channels as well as from some well-known business blogs.
If you have any questions related to our services, please contact us. Remember to sign up for our newsletter to receive more exciting news every month!
