In September 2024, there was a lot of noise about Amazon’s actions towards certain Vendor Central accounts.

As a quick recap:

• Many small-scale 1P vendor accounts received a message from Amazon, announcing that it would ‘stop sourcing products from your company’, effective from 1st November
• These vendors were then told that if they wished to continue selling products on Amazon, they could list items as an independent, third-party seller.

This action has caused a great deal of uproar. The timing, in particular, has been noted as particularly harsh, being right in the middle of the peak trading season with the lead up to Black Friday and the festive holiday season.

However – there are some points to note:

• So far, this has mostly affected Vendors in the USA, where the criteria to be a vendor is already much stricter than in other regions
• This is unlikely to mark the end of Vendor Central. Vendor Central offers strategic advances over Seller Central (such as pricing, exclusivity, and deal/merchandising collaborations), and will in all likelihood continue for large brands, particularly wholesalers

So, where does that leave you and your Vendor Central account?

If you’re worried that Amazon’s decision might end up delisting your brand:

• Reach out to Amazon – speak to your Vendor Manager to gain clarity over your future
• Consider setting up a hybrid Vendor and Seller Central model to safeguard against any future shocks
• Transition over to a Seller Central account

The most important thing is to not panic. Get in touch using the form above for a consultation about your Amazon strategy.