We officially closed the book on the first month of 2025 and it’s the perfect time to introduce a fresh new format we’re calling the Retail Roundup.

For this inaugural edition, we’ve brought in two of our go-to experts to break down what’s really happening in the industry.

Joining us today are Ross Walker, Director of Retail Media at Acadia, and Armin Alipahic, Operations Team Lead — and a walking, talking encyclopedia of Amazon knowledge since the days Bezos sold his first book.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In this episode, Julie, Jordan, Ross, and Armin discuss:

• Amazon Retail Ad Services:

• Announced the launch at CES.

• Enabling brands to create ads using Amazon’s ad stack.

• Compared to Critio and Citrus ads but with Amazon’s unique reach.

• Amazon Reimbursement Policy Change:

• New reimbursement based on cost of goods sold (COGS) instead of retail price.

• Required sellers to report their COGS.

• Discussions on potential privacy concerns and impact on margins.

• B2B-Specific Bids for Amazon Ads:

• Allows brands to bid specifically for business buyers.

• Seen as a significant feature for B2B-focused products.

• Five-Year Look Back for Amazon Marketing Cloud:

• Provides extended access to purchase signals for analysis beyond the typical 12-month period.

• Seen as a major development for mid-tier and enterprise brands.

• Amazon’s Title Character Count Requirement:

• Automatic AI revision of non-compliant product titles.

• Aim to eliminate word souping and improve title quality.

• Image Compliance Platform Overhaul:

• Streamlined approach to identifying and correcting image issues using AI.

• Greater automation to reduce manpower and costs for Amazon.