Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/691740
SELLING ON AMAZON W hile many suppliers have a successful e-commerce strategy without selling on Amazon, there is no denying its consumer reach. "There are fantastic specialty sites you can work with or owned sites can fill a niche," said Betsy McGinn, principal and founder of McGinn eCommerce Consulting. "However, what most people want is to be on Amazon because of the volume and number of eyes on your product." The intricacies of working with Amazon are many, but here are a few things to know. There are two primary ways that specialty food producers can work with Amazon: First Party and Third Party. FIRST PARTY: AMAZON RETAIL OR VENDOR CENTRAL • Works the same way that vendors usually work with retailers: Amazon buys and owns the inventory and sets the price. • Invitation-only and generally reserved for better-known brands. THIRD PARTY: AMAZON SELLER CENTRAL • The seller controls the price, inventory, and promotions, and owns the inventory, whether on their own site or in Amazon's warehouse. • Anyone can use Seller Central. "There are lots of ways to sell on Amazon. It's not usually or, it's usually and. The combination depends on what you need and want," said Mike Burrington of Ideoclick, an e-commerce consultancy.—G.V. 40 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com