Feb 04 2025 23 mins
We officially closed the book on the first month of 2025 and it’s the perfect time to introduce a fresh new format we’re calling the Retail Roundup.
For this inaugural edition, we’ve brought in two of our go-to experts to break down what’s really happening in the industry.
Joining us today are Ross Walker, Director of Retail Media at Acadia, and Armin Alipahic, Operations Team Lead — and a walking, talking encyclopedia of Amazon knowledge since the days Bezos sold his first book.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In this episode, Julie, Jordan, Ross, and Armin discuss:
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Amazon Retail Ad Services:
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Announced the launch at CES.
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Enabling brands to create ads using Amazon’s ad stack.
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Compared to Critio and Citrus ads but with Amazon’s unique reach.
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Amazon Reimbursement Policy Change:
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New reimbursement based on cost of goods sold (COGS) instead of retail price.
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Required sellers to report their COGS.
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Discussions on potential privacy concerns and impact on margins.
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B2B-Specific Bids for Amazon Ads:
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Allows brands to bid specifically for business buyers.
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Seen as a significant feature for B2B-focused products.
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Five-Year Look Back for Amazon Marketing Cloud:
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Provides extended access to purchase signals for analysis beyond the typical 12-month period.
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Seen as a major development for mid-tier and enterprise brands.
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Amazon’s Title Character Count Requirement:
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Automatic AI revision of non-compliant product titles.
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Aim to eliminate word souping and improve title quality.
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Image Compliance Platform Overhaul:
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Streamlined approach to identifying and correcting image issues using AI.
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Greater automation to reduce manpower and costs for Amazon.