Jared Ward and Blair Forrest (AMZ Prep), break down the logistical failures of the "messiest Q4" in Amazon's history, where oversold AWD capabilities and frozen inventory led to massive losses and even bankruptcies. They talk about the "prisoner’s dilemma" of placement fees versus freight costs, revealing how floor loading and consolidation can slash shipping prices while maintaining a 2-day Prime experience. By exploring why omnichannel brands must move toward a centralized "cockpit" view of inventory, this conversation provides a tactical playbook for high-volume operators who need to diversify their risk and keep their supply chain from becoming a "death spiral."

Meet Blair Forrest

Blair Forrest is the CEO and founder of AMZ Prep, a logistics powerhouse that pioneered the "prep center" industry by automating the complex workflows of Amazon FBA. Transitioning from a manual Google Sheets environment to a proprietary technology-driven operation, Blair has scaled AMZ Prep into a global omnichannel partner supporting brands like 8 Sleep and Winland Foods across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. A vocal advocate for the "operators in the basement," he is known for his gritty, high-touch approach to fulfillment—including famously banning customer service tickets—and his tactical expertise in navigating Amazon’s shifting supply chain, from AWD placement fees to global freight consolidation.