In this episode of the Ecommerce Braintrust, Julie Spear, Head of Retail Marketplaces Services at Acadia, is joined by, Gary Hammerschlag, an account management team lead at Acadia, who shares his expert insights on the framework for evaluating potential markets, the process involved, and strategic considerations for brands looking to broaden their e-commerce horizons globally.

Their discussion is packed with actionable tips and an in-depth analysis of the various aspects of international expansion on Amazon.

Make sure you tune in to find out more!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In this episode, Julie and Gary discuss:

• Gary's Framework for International Expansion

• Evaluating when an international market is a suitable fit.

• The increasing ease of compliance and streamlined processes post-COVID.

• Importance of considering international expansion as a growth lever beside D2C channels.

• Key Markets for Expansion:

• Insights into prioritizing markets: Germany, the UK, Canada, and Japan.

• Specific focus on Japan's beauty market due to recent Amazon incentives.

• The Testing Process:

• How to frame and assess the testing period for a market.

• Operational, logistical, and budget considerations for entering new markets.

• Readiness and Launch:

• The readiness phase involving VAT application, label review, and finding a responsible person.

• Detailed timeline expectations from decision to launch.

• Tools and Resources:

• Utilizing tools like Helium 10 or Analytic Index for market analysis.

• How agencies specializing in Amazon can aid in smoother launches.

• Advice for Brands Considering International Markets:

• The importance of patience and setting realistic timelines.

• Building a strong initial foundation to facilitate growth.