Key Lessons from… Prime Big Deals Day (aka the raw power of accurate, real-time data)

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, if you want to achieve great success on Amazon as a Seller or Vendor, your ability to access, interpret and act on accurate, real-time data is crucial – and that’s even more true during a Sales Event…

At Venture Forge, we’re all about commercial rigour, clarity and vision. Our experts apply a scrupulous trading mindset to our clients’ Amazon accounts – keeping all things agile and adaptable, staying resilient, managing risk and using data to make informed decisions that turn things in a brand’s favour as quickly as possible.

Over the course of a day – especially an Event day – these kinds of commercially savvy tweaks can make all the difference to results. From strategic pricing to Prime-exclusive deals, accurate, real-time data and quick, well-timed decisions have long proven to be key drivers of growth…

… as perfectly illustrated by our clients’ results from day 1 of Prime Big Deals day in October!

Here’s a snapshot of what our team achieved on what ended up being Amazon’s biggest ever October event:

  • 160% week-on-week growth for a home & goods brand using strategic pricing.
  • 877% week-on-week increase for a sports & fitness client, driven by exclusive Prime Day promotions.
  • Up to 149% year-on-year growth for a brand in tech & electronics leveraging Prime-only offers.
  • 282% growth for a health & beauty brand utilising smart discounting tactics.

Good, right?

Even clients running smaller promotions saw gains of 40% year-on-year, showing that even modest, data-backed efforts can yield results.

The lesson here?

It all comes down to data. 

In a super fast-moving retail environment like Prime Big Deal Days – or Black Friday, for example – understanding what the market is doing in real-time and acting on those insights is what gives a brand the edge over the competition. 

Whether it’s knowing the best moment to activate a discount or identifying which products are resonating with customers, quick, informed decisions are the key to success.

For any brand looking to maximise their performance on Amazon, the takeaway here is clear – use data to guide your strategy. 

With the right insights, you can make timely adjustments that lead to tangible growth, just as we’ve seen with our clients.

And, when brands are equipped to turn data into action, the marketplace rewards are waiting. 

Ready to make data work for you? Speak to our experts today.


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Key Lessons from… Amazon Ads Unboxed

It’s all about the learning in this update! Next, we turn our attention to the important takeaways from Amazon Ads Unboxed 2024, from which our intrepid, award-winning expert Jake Browett has returned full of fresh ideas and insights…

The event brought loads of exciting updates, from automated tools to refined targeting capabilities – think piles of new features designed to help brands streamline their campaigns and boost their performance.

We’ve done a deep dive in our latest blog – but, while you’re here, here’s a little taste of the most notable highlights:

Performance+

Performance+, Amazon’s new automated ad creation tool, promises to simplify campaign setup “with just four clicks”.

With the reported potential to improve CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) by up to 51%, this tool is set to compete directly with Google’s Performance Max, offering brands a quick and efficient way to launch comprehensive campaigns.

B2B Bid Modifier option

For B2B brands, the new Bid Modifier Option has shown some impressive results – early trials bringing some users 3x higher Return on Ad Spend (RoAS) and a 12% increase in traffic.

While it may not be for all brands, this feature allows for more granular targeting and better budget optimization – good news for those looking to fine-tune their audience reach.

Demand-Side Platform (DSP) Refresh 

A much-needed refresh is in the pipeline for Amazon’s Demand-Side Platform (DSP), promising a new interface that will be faster and more intuitive, helping advertisers save “up to 26% of their budget” and – our favourite bit – gain deeper insights into campaign performance through real-time optimisation tools. 

From frequency controls to smarter insights via curated performance cards, these upgrades are designed to help brands get more value out of their ad spend.

What else is on the Amazon cards?

There’s plenty more too – Amazon has also expanded Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) to include Sponsored Products and Brands, allowing brands to build custom audiences and better track campaign performance. 

And for those looking to reach global audiences, the Prime Video Ads expansion into markets like Brazil, Japan and India opens up massive new opportunities.

Curious about the rest? 

Find much more, including Amazon’s exciting ‘Glitch with Twitch’ feature and the rollout of new AI-powered tools to speed up creative ad production, over on the blog.

And to discuss how these innovations can help elevate your Amazon Ads strategy? Speak to our award-winning experts today.


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Key Lessons from… Big Deal Days Best Sellers – what insights can we glean for Black Friday?

We’ve already said how the Prime Big Deal Days 2024, which ran on October 8th and 9th, were officially the marketplace’s biggest October event ever, with record-breaking sales and more Prime members shopping than in any previous October sale. 

But what’s even more interesting for brands? 

As with all October events, its best-sellers might just offer a glimpse into what’s primed to fly off the shelves during the upcoming Black Friday frenzy.

So, what were the UK’s top products?

Top-selling products in the UK covered everything from Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones to LEGO Minecraft sets, along with everyday essentials like Finish Ultimate Dishwasher Tablets and Vitamin D Tablets. 

Shoppers also gravitated toward beauty staples like the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Serum and Maybelline New York Volume Mascara, suggesting that self-care might already be on the gift radar for some (whether they’re buying for themselves, others or both!).

But what might this tell us about Amazon buyers right now? 

It’s clear that tech, beauty and home essentials were top of mind – and, as we look ahead to Black Friday, it’s more than possible that these categories could continue to dominate as the holiday season begins.

How should Amazon brands use these insights?

These insights might have no direct bearing on your brand – but they’re still good to know so that you can align your product listings and deals with things that are clearly resonating with shoppers.

These early indicators from Prime Big Deal Days show that customers are ready to invest in practical gifts, personal care and high-value tech items – and now’s the perfect time to fine-tune your Black Friday strategy accordingly.

Better still, if these results are any indication, Black Friday 2024 is set to be another blockbuster event!

If you’d like our team of experts help you bring commercial clarity, rigour and vision to supercharge your sales over a bumper festive season, we’re here to help! Get in touch today.


What you need to know about the new Amazon FBA Reimbursements in Europe

From 15 January 2025, Amazon is rolling out significant changes to the FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) reimbursement process – some great news for Sellers, some of which will call for extra vigilance to make sure you’re claiming what’s due.

Either way, these are changes that could impact how you manage your lost inventory and claim your reimbursements, so now’s the time to get prepared – here’s what you need to know…

Your Lowdown of the FBA Updates

  • Good news – automatic reimbursements for lost items are coming (but see also below). Amazon will proactively reimburse sellers for items mislaid in their fulfilment centres, issuing refunds as soon as the item is reported lost.
  • Good news – reimbursements will be made at sale price. So no hassle with returns or customer service issues; a lost item becomes, effectively, a free sale.
  • Extra vigilance needed – because they’re reducing the claims eligibility window to just 60 days (down from 18 months!)
  • How to stay vigilant – you can stay updated using the Reimbursements report on Seller Central. 

Our take

The automatic reimbursement for lost items is a big win for Sellers – no more chasing Amazon to recover funds for misplaced inventory, hooray!

But this has already rolled out in the US, and that rollout showed that it’s really important you don’t just rely on Amazon’s automated system to pick up your lost items – because it might not.

In real life, early feedback from the US beta trials indicated that only around 20% of lost items were being reimbursed at the beginning, although this number is expected to improve.

What does it mean for your brand? 

Simply put, you need to stay vigilant. 

Regularly check your reports and manually claim anything Amazon might miss – especially since the new 60-day claims window gives you less time to act. 

And don’t forget: there are plenty of other reimbursement types beyond lost items, so it’s crucial to be on top of all potential claims to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.

If you need a hand with your Amazon cash recovery issues, from shortages and deductions to overbillings, remember that our Revenue Recovery service is designed to help you recoup these avoidable losses, putting them right back where they belong – your bottom line.

To enlist our experts for help with any of these issues, get in touch today.


Looking for help to maximise opportunities and/or tackle challenges for your marketplace business? 

Click here to speak to our Award-Winning Amazon Team!