Latest news with #FBA
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon Names MyFBAPrep a Recommended FBA Prep Service Provider
Selection Signals Trust in MyFBAPrep's Scale, Operational Excellence, and Compliance Rigor CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MyFBAPrep, the leading global eCommerce warehouse network, has been selected by Amazon as a Recommended Prep Service Provider for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), following Amazon's most extensive national vetting process to date. The rigorous evaluation spanned hundreds of performance, compliance, and scalability data points aimed at identifying logistics partners capable of delivering Amazon-grade prep services to its 1.1 million active marketplace sellers in The United States. The program is designed to spotlight a curated handful of logistics providers that can reliably execute prep to meet more than 1 billion units of projected annual demand across the U.S., in accordance with detailed Amazon FBA standards. The program is not only a signal of operational excellence—it positions selected partners to receive inbound prep demand directly from Amazon's Seller Central platform and partner network. To become a Recommended FBA Prep Service Provider, MyFBAPrep had to prove its excellence in the following categories: Execution of Core Prep Services – Providers were required to offer all seven of Amazon's critical prep activities: item labeling, bagging, bubble wrap, cap sealing, boxing, opaque bagging, and set creation. Each service needed to be executed per Amazon's official documentation, including drop-test requirements, suffocation warnings, and barcode compliance standards. National Geographic Reach and Service Agility – The selected vendors needed to demonstrate the ability to serve sellers and ship to Amazon facilities located anywhere in the U.S., including regional demand across central, midwest, and northeast hubs. Capacity to Meet High-Volume Demand – Amazon modeled prep volumes across the network at over 1 billion units annually, including 850M in item labeling and 160M in polybagging alone. Providers were scored on their ability to flex to this scale while maintaining service-level agreements. Compliance With Safety, Packaging, and Labeling Standards – Amazon's technical standards included detailed requirements for barcode placement, adhesive quality, adult-content concealment, and hazard labeling. Transparency in Rate Governance and SLAs – Amazon required clearly defined, tiered or flat rates for each prep type, with providers specifying how frequently rate cards may change and detailing average turnaround times between receiving inventory and delivering to FBA . Security, Certification, and Legal Compliance – Vendors were reviewed for their ability to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations governing packaging, shipping, and storage, as well as their use of secure IT infrastructure and adherence to data protection standards. Customer Service, Visibility, and Centralized Operations – The final selection emphasized the ability to provide centralized invoicing, account management, and full visibility into prep activity. This ensures alignment with Amazon's promise of speed, precision, and service excellence. "Amazon's evaluation wasn't surface-level—it was forensic. They asked us to align to over a billion units of forecasted volume, meet rigorous safety standards, and demonstrate national fulfillment at scale without compromise. They examined whether we could not only perform at scale, but do so with consistency, integrity, and accountability across every dimension of operations," said Tom Wicky, Co-Founder and CEO of MyFBAPrep. "We're incredibly proud to be selected and grateful to our network for rising to the challenge. Being selected from this field is a tremendous honor—and one that confirms our position as a foundational player in modern eCommerce logistics. This recognition is not just an award—it's a mandate to lead." Analytics suggest high prep demand from product categories including drugstores, beauty, grocery, home, and apparel. This selection cements MyFBAPrep's position as a critical infrastructure partner for sellers looking to scale within Amazon's ecosystem—providing the operational depth, compliance framework, and service flexibility needed to meet the demands of the modern digital shelf. About MyFBAPrepMyFBAPrep is the leading eCommerce logistics platform, delivering scalable, tech-enabled fulfillment solutions for high-growth brands, omnichannel sellers, and top Amazon merchants. With a network of 100+ warehouses and 85 million square feet of space across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and Australia, MyFBAPrep powers Amazon FBA prep, direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment, retail and wholesale distribution, and B2B logistics. The company's proprietary SaaS platform, Preptopia®, provides real-time inventory visibility, predictive analytics, and automated order routing—ensuring speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency at scale. Backed by premium customer service and dedicated account management, MyFBAPrep helps brands streamline operations, reduce costs, and scale faster. For more information, visit For more information, contact: Tom WickyCourtney Dennis Co-Founder & CEODirector of Communications tom@ 786-351-3454619-952-1856 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE MyFBAPrep Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Economic Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
We are evolving from being a marketplace to a full-stack enabler for Indian MSMEs: Amazon India's Gaurav Bhatnagar
iStock For many MSMEs that may lack formal digital infrastructure or marketing expertise, AI tools act as intuitive guides, helping them optimise product listings with the right titles, keywords, and images, thereby improving discoverability. Since its entry into India in 2013, Amazon has collaborated with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sellers to help them navigate the world of e-commerce in the country. This partnership has emerged as a fundamental element of Amazon's strategy to tap into India's booming digital marketplace. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Director of Sales, Amazon India, talks to ET Digital about the growing MSME base in India's e-commerce industry and the ways in which the platform is facilitating their growth, and more. Edited excerpts: ET: How is Amazon India helping MSMEs stand out on a platform with a huge number of sellers? How is it helping them increase their product visibility to customers? Gaurav Bhatnagar (GB): Amazon India is deeply committed to helping MSMEs not only participate in e-commerce but also stand out in a marketplace with millions of sellers. Programmes like Amazon Saheli have been introduced to support women-led businesses and self-help groups (SHGs) through dedicated onboarding support and a branded storefront, enabling greater visibility and trust. Complementing this is the Amazon Karigar programme, which digitises India's rich artisan and craft heritage by providing traditional weavers and artisans access to a national customer base, helping them scale beyond local markets. To support start-ups and emerging D2C brands, Amazon runs Launchpad, a programme designed to give these businesses better access to marketing tools, visibility, and distribution. Meanwhile, Local Shops on Amazon enables neighbourhood retailers to go online and reach new customers while still retaining the trust of their offline these targeted initiatives, Amazon has also introduced several broader reforms, such as India's largest seller fee reduction in April 2025, including zero referral fees on products under Rs 300 helping lakhs of small businesses improve their margins and enhance competitiveness in the digital programmes and fee revisions, Amazon is leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to further enable sellers, from catalogue enhancement and product demand forecasting to inventory planning. To increase discoverability, sellers can benefit from high product quality and strong customer reviews, which help organically boost visibility. For sellers looking to scale operations, Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and Multi-Channel Fulfilment (MCF) allow them to store inventory in Amazon's warehouses, where Amazon handles packaging, delivery, and customer service, ensuring Prime-like experiences even for small businesses. These options reduce operational load while improving customer experience and conversion rates. Whether it's through tailored programs, reduced costs, advanced tools, or logistics support, Amazon is focused on ensuring that MSMEs not only have a voice but also a clear edge in the digital marketplace. ET: In the past couple of years, Amazon India launched several AI assistant tools. How have these tools transformed e-commerce for MSMEs? GB: Amazon India's AI assistant tools have transformed the way MSMEs operate and grow in the e-commerce ecosystem by simplifying complex processes and enhancing decision-making. These tools use AI and ML to support sellers across key functions, right from catalogue creation to demand forecasting and inventory management. For many MSMEs that may lack formal digital infrastructure or marketing expertise, these AI tools act as intuitive guides, helping them optimise product listings with the right titles, keywords, and images, thereby improving discoverability. On the backend, predictive analytics help sellers anticipate customer demand, manage stock levels efficiently, and reduce the risk of overstocking or stockouts. Moreover, AI-driven insights offer sellers real-time data on customer preferences, seasonal trends, and pricing strategies, enabling them to make informed business decisions with minimal guesswork. For example, an artisan under the Amazon Karigar programme or a local shop owner from a tier II town using FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) can now compete more effectively because the platform provides them with the same smart tools that large brands use. ET: What measures has Amazon taken to help sellers in reaching tier III and IV towns? GB: To ensure sellers can effectively reach customers in tier III and IV towns, Amazon India has made strategic operational and technological investments across the country. At the infrastructure level, Amazon has partnered with India Post, enabling delivery coverage to every single PIN code in the country, including the most remote regions. In parallel, Amazon has established a robust logistics backbone with fulfilment centres, sortation hubs, and delivery stations across smaller towns, ensuring fast and reliable order fulfilment regardless of geography. To further increase accessibility, Amazon introduced shopping experiences in seven Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, and Bengali—making it easier for customers in smaller towns to browse and shop in their preferred language. On the seller's side, Amazon also offers a selling interface in seven Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam, and Telugu—allowing local entrepreneurs to register and manage their businesses more comfortably. This dual-language approach reduces the digital divide and opens up e-commerce opportunities for sellers and buyers alike. Together, these initiatives ensure that MSMEs from across India can access and serve demand from tier III and IV towns with greater ease, reach, and efficiency. ET: MSMEs often encounter financial limitations, resulting in a considerable credit gap in this sector. How is Amazon India helping sellers in this matter? GB: We launched Amazon Lending, a targeted initiative that provides accessible working capital to eligible sellers based on their performance metrics, without requiring collateral. Through this programme, sellers receive loans or lines of credit ranging from approximately Rs 50,000 up to several lakhs of rupees. The approval process is streamlined and fast, typically completed within a day or two, and loan amounts are determined using seller sales data and account health, not traditional credit scores. Sellers generally start repaying after around 90 days, giving them time to invest borrowed capital in inventory, marketing, or business has also partnered with digital lenders, such as Lendingkart, and lending service providers, including FlexiLoans, SellersFi, and others, to reach over 400,000 MSME sellers, especially in tier II and III regions, offering flexible repayment options tailored to sales cycles. This collaborative approach ensures that even small and rural sellers, often excluded from traditional lending, can access timely, affordable capital. By aligning credit with business performance and regional needs, Amazon is enabling MSMEs across India to invest in growth, stay resilient, and thrive in the digital economy. ET: In what ways do Amazon India's services and guidance evolve alongside the growth of MSME sellers, especially in terms of their size, scale, sales, product offerings, and inventory capacity? GB: As MSME sellers grow in scale, Amazon steps in with dedicated account management services through its Amazon Business Advisory (ABA) programme. Once eligible, sellers gain access to a dedicated account manager who collaborates on strategic growth plans and data-driven insights, providing weekly performance reviews, guidance on expanding selection, priority support, faster fund disbursements, and tailored deal participation. This personalised approach helps businesses systematically scale their operations and sellers can take advantage of tiered fulfilment solutions like FBA and Seller Flex. As sales and inventory volumes increase, FBA allows merchants to store more products in Amazon's warehouses, with Amazon managing packing, shipping, and customer support, freeing sellers to focus on expanding supply and product range. Amazon's tools also scale with seller growth. Established sellers gain access to advanced automation and analytics, including system integrations via API for seamless inventory management, auto feedback requests, and real-time sales and profitability dashboards. As their businesses mature, sellers can unlock features for bulk B2B selling, brand storefronts via Brand Registry, customised A+ content, and even international expansion through Amazon Global for financing needs to scale, Amazon Lending offers larger or repeat loans, while ABA members get priority access to credit and more liberal lending terms. This ensures sellers can ramp up inventory, launch new products, and navigate peak-demand seasons with ease. ET: How does Amazon plan to support the next 10 million MSMEs in India? GB: Amazon India's approach to supporting the next 10 million MSMEs is grounded in a clear strategy focused on accessibility, innovation, and scale. We recognise that the next wave of sellers will largely come from non-metro regions, emerging D2C brands, and traditional sectors looking to modernise. To address this shift, Amazon is investing in simplifying seller onboarding and reducing barriers through vernacular language support, mobile-first registration, and assisted onboarding mechanisms designed for first-time digital the technology front, Amazon is evolving from being a marketplace to a full-stack enabler. This includes newer innovations like integrated logistics tech, automated pricing tools, and seller-focused insights engines that offer actionable data to refine listings, optimise inventory, and identify high-growth product segments.
CNBC
21-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Easy returns cause big trouble for Amazon sellers, but return rates show signs of slowing
Returns on Amazon are free and easy for shoppers, but they're risky and expensive for the small businesses that sell a majority of the goods on the world's biggest e-commerce site. Returns have driven some sellers to exit the popular Fulfillment by Amazon program, while others told CNBC they'd like to leave the platform altogether. At the heart of the problem is a big rise in returns fraud, which has led to customers mistakenly receiving used products when they ordered something new. In two particularly egregious examples involving baby products described to CNBC, Amazon sent customers used diapers and a chiller with someone else's rotten breastmilk inside. "I really don't think that consumers understand how many small businesses are on Amazon and how their return habits affect small businesses and families like mine," said Rachelle Baron, owner of Beau and Belle Littles, which sells reusable swim diapers on Amazon. Baron said her business tanked after a return incident with Amazon. The e-commerce platform shipped soiled swim diapers to customers after the used baby products had been returned to Amazon, Baron said. "There was actually two diapers that were sent out that were poopy," she said. In 2024, nearly 14% of all U.S. retail returns were fraudulent, up from 5% in 2018, according to a report by the National Retail Federation. In total, the report found that returns cost retailers $890 billion in 2024. Amazon started charging sellers in its fulfillment program (FBA) a new fee in June 2024 for items that exceed certain return rate thresholds. Sellers who sign up for FBA rely on Amazon for logistics, including shipping, packing and returns. In September, a couple months after the fee went into effect, e-commerce group Helium 10 saw return rates for U.S. Amazon sellers drop nearly 5%. "It's forcing the seller to have higher quality listings and higher quality products," said Helium 10 General Manager Zoe Lu. Amazon has also started adding a warning label to some "frequently returned items," which could be contributing to the dip. However, the new fee may also be leading to rising prices. One survey by e-commerce analysis company SmartScout found that 65% of sellers said they raised prices in 2024 directly because of Amazon fee changes. Other sellers told CNBC returns fraud is the reason they've raised prices. In total, CNBC talked to seven Amazon sellers to find out how they're handling the rising cost of returns. "We're running at about just over 1% net profit on Amazon, totally due to fraud and return abuse," said Lorie Corlett, who sells Sterling Spectrum protective cases for hot wheels. She said her return rate is 4% on Amazon and only 1% on other marketplaces like Walmart. "It's really Amazon that's accountable at the end of the day. People would stop doing it if Amazon held them accountable." Amazon told CNBC it has no tolerance for fraudulent returns and that it takes action against some scammers. Those measures include denying refunds and requiring customer identity verification. Mike Jelliff sells professional music gear through his GeekStands brand on Amazon and eight other marketplaces. He said his return rate on Amazon is three times higher than the average he sees elsewhere. "On eBay, we're allowed to block specific customers out," Jelliff said. "But on Amazon, that customer is still allowed to repurchase from us." Jelliff showed CNBC the system of about 40 cameras he's installed in his Tyler, Texas, warehouse to track every outgoing item, incoming return and unboxing. He uses the images when filing appeals with Amazon, including when customers request refunds claiming they never receive an item. He keeps a blacklist of repeat offenders who commit this kind of fraud and those who return used and damaged items, which become a total loss for him. Amazon has made some improvements to its returns process, said Jelliff, who doesn't rely on FBA. This includes Amazon allowing small businesses to make multiple appeals when fighting a fraudulent return. Amazon has also let Jelliff opt-out of automatic return labels for items above $100 starting in 2023, and his return rate has been dropping since. Figuring out which returns are fraudulent and which are ready for re-sale is labor-intensive and item specific, experts said. That creates plenty of room for error. "Because it's such a large operation, things are missed," said Lu of Helium 10. "I think they're probably missed on the margins, but these stories are very impactful because it is such a reckoning for the brand." Ceres Chill founder Lisa Myers, who once relied on Amazon to handle returns for her business as part of FBA, has one of these stories. In 2023, Amazon sent one of Ceres Chill's products to a customer with someone else's rotten breastmilk inside, said Myers, adding that the customer wrote a review saying, "she will never forget that smell." "To have something, and I don't mean to be dramatic, but dangerous, somebody else's bodily fluids in your kitchen rotting in something that you had intended to use for your child is unacceptable," Myers said. "That's the moment I broke down crying and just sat down and thought, I have no idea how this could have happened." Myers said she left FBA after the incident, leaving behind benefits like having her products labeled with Amazon's Prime badge. "It hurts our business to not participate in Fulfilled by Amazon," Myers said. "It's just we're not willing to, we will never put profit over the safety and, frankly, mental health of our customers." Instead, Myers outsources all her returns to baby resell specialist Goodbuy Gear, which is on track to re-sell 200,000 returned baby products this year. Kristin Langenfeld started GoodBuy Gear when she was a new mom struggling to find a good quality, used jogging stroller. "We've spent the last nine years building out a database that has all of the products and the variations, the common issues, the recalls," Langenfeld said. "For some of these, there's 40 points that we inspect on the item itself, and it's really complicated." Langenfeld showed CNBC the process at her warehouse in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where each item is inspected for about 15 minutes and is typically handled by at least four employees. The resource intensive process is paying off. She says 33 new sellers signed up in 2024, three times more than the previous year. And with business growing 50% year-over-year, she's upgrading to a bigger warehouse in Columbus, Ohio. She was inspired to handle returns after visiting a major retailer's returns warehouse five years ago. "Taped on the floor were signs that said 'incinerate,' 'destroy,'" she said. Returns generated an estimated 29 million metric tons of carbon emissions in 2024, and 9.8 billion pounds of returns ended up in landfills, according to reverse logistics software provider Optoro. Amazon has faced criticism for destroying millions of pounds of unused products. In 2022, Amazon told CNBC it was "working towards a goal of zero product disposal," but wouldn't give a timeline for that ambition. Three years later, that goal is still in the works, with Amazon telling CNBC in a statement, "The vast majority of returns are resold as new or used, returned to selling partners, liquidated, or donated." In 2020, Amazon added two new options for sellers to re-home returns. "Grade and Resell" allows all U.S. FBA sellers to have Amazon rate the return and mark it as "used" before re-selling it. FBA Liquidation allows sellers to recoup some losses by offloading palettes of goods for re-sale on the secondary market through liquidation partners like Liquidity Services. There's also an FBA Donations program that's been around since 2019, allowing sellers to automatically offer eligible overstock and returns to charity groups through the non-profit Good360. Amazon told CNBC these seller programs give a second life to more than 300 million items a year. For shoppers wanting to keep returns from incineration or landfills, Amazon also has options. Amazon Resale has used and open-box goods, Amazon Renewed sells refurbished items and Amazon Outlet sells overstock. Daily deal site Woot!, bought by Amazon for $110 million in 2010, also sells scratched and dented items. Customers can also trade in certain electronics, like Amazon devices, phones and tablets, for Amazon gift cards or send them to the company's certified recycler. "I hope the change that we're able to make as a country is that we stop making crap," Langenfeld said. "We should make high quality products that are meant for resale."
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Velomax Distribution Delivers What Amazon FBA Sellers Need: Fast-Selling Branded Products, Verified Suppliers, and Profitable ROI
For Amazon FBA sellers looking to scale without the headaches, Velomax Distribution is becoming a trusted source for profitable, fast-moving inventory. They don't overpromise. Instead, they focus on what actually works — real product research, curated wholesale catalogs, and a system built around speed, transparency, and results. 'Our goal is to help you source inventory that actually sells,' says a Velomax team member. Unlike suppliers who only push brand-owned listings or Amazon-dominated products, Velomax focuses on what's already selling for FBA sellers like you. Backed by real data and hands-on experience, they understand how the market works — and they make it easy for sellers to plug into winning products. Sellers get Amazon-compliant invoices, trend-backed product suggestions, and the flexibility to grow without being locked into confusing service models. For updates, follow Velomax Distribution on Facebook: About Velomax Distribution With over seven years of combined experience in sales, logistics, and distribution, Velomax Distribution has built a system focused on speed, quality, and scalability. Velomax maintains a transparent business model by sourcing products directly from manufacturers and trusted suppliers, then selling to retailers at wholesale prices with prompt delivery. They accept multiple payment methods including wire transfers, ACH, and credit cards, while maintaining minimum order quantities that vary by product and brand. The company provides a fully transparent supply chain with invoices issued from brand to company and company to customer, though supplier authorization depends on individual brand requirements. Their customer-focused approach includes processing most orders within 1-3 business days, with delivery typically taking 3-7 business days within the U.S., plus a return policy for damaged, defective, or incorrectly shipped products within 7-14 days of delivery. For those seeking a true distribution partner — not just another middleman — Velomax Distribution is the right choice. Velomax Distribution is making wholesale easier. Learn more at: Media Contact Company Name: Velomax Distribution Contact Person: Support Email: Send Email City: Miami State: Florida Country: United States Website:
Business Wire
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Fiber Broadband Association Membership Surges as Industry Investment Accelerates
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at , the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced accelerated growth throughout its organization, including membership, working groups, and events. As public and private investment in fiber broadband increases, FBA provides the advocacy, research, tools, and opportunities the industry needs to accelerate fiber network deployments across North America. FBA supports the entire fiber broadband ecosystem, from network operators to technology innovators. The industry is investing significantly in fiber to ensure all Americans are connected and FBA is a lifeline to ensure they have the right resources and knowledge to get the job done right the first time. Its membership in North America has grown 178% in the last five years—hitting nearly 20% growth in 2025 alone and reaching 625 member companies in May 2025. More network operators have joined FBA than ever before, currently representing 45% of its membership. 'As historic investments flow into fiber broadband, the need for trusted collaboration, education, and best practices has never been greater,' said Jennifer Vassil, Vice President, Membership, Fiber Broadband Association. 'The rapid growth of our membership demonstrates the fact that FBA is a critical partner to those delivering reliable, high-quality connectivity to communities across North America. We're honored to support and amplify this momentum.' In addition to membership growth, FBA has experienced an uptick in engagement as well with 1,450 employees from member companies contributing to FBA committees and working groups. FBA North America now has 19 committees, roundtables, and working groups that are focused on developing and publishing studies and industry best practices. Four new working groups were added this year, including the AI & Machine Learning Working Group, Membership Working Group, Middle Mile Working Group, and the Canadian Working Group. To support its rapid growth, FBA added nearly 40% more staff over the past two years and has grown its events series to include more Regional Fiber Connect workshops, policy-focused events in Washington, D.C., and member meet ups. FBA members can also participate in the FBA Community, an online forum for knowledge and resource-sharing. To learn more about FBA membership, visit the FBA website or subscribe to FBA's Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated on FBA news and more. About the Fiber Broadband Association The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policymakers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at
