Amazon quietly launches private label - Pinzon

I was alerted today of an interesting Amazon development that's been under the radar for a while, but more and more people are noticing the success of. Amazon has quietly launched a private label, where they manufacture and sell products, under the Pinzon brand.

If you go to www.pinzon.com, it is a redirect to this Pinzon page on Amazon where it is mentioned that Pinzon is a manufacturer of bath towels, sheet sets, furniture and kitchen gadgets.  

Here's the exact verbage they use:

Invite Amazon.com's Pinzon products into your kitchen and home for their form and function, and experience their style, craftsmanship, and value. We travel the world to find the best materials and designs for Pinzon products and use the most sensible manufacturing methods. We thoroughly test each Pinzon item and rely on feedback from our customers to help us deliver the highest quality. Check out all of our Pinzon products, including bedding, towels, and cook’s tools, and you’ll find something for all occasions at the best values. With a selection that continues to grow, the Pinzon brand is set to become a part of your lifestyle.

The name Pinzon is another clue that this is an Amazon brand.  Vicente Yáñez Pinzón was a Spanish explorer that discovered the Amazon river from which Amazon, of course, draws its name.

For a first foray into the 'private label' world, Pinzon is pretty expansive.  This search indicates there are 551 different products available today.

Interestingly there's a vibrant Pinzon market on eBay - currently there are 100 items for sale.

Seeking Alpha Disclosure I am long Amazon and Google.  eBay is an investor in ChannelAdvisor.

Comments

[bob]

This is not Amazon's first private label. Amazon.com launched Strathwood, an Amazon private label brand, in April 2004 with Outdoor Patio Furniture, Décor and Lighting categories. It launched Pinzon by Amazon.com in October 2005 with Bedding and Utility, Bath Towels, Tabletop, Kitchen Utensils and Knives categories, and in 2008, it introduced Pinzon Indoor Furniture.

[Gary R.]

Hmm... what happend to that open minded we let sellers list on our listings attitude....?

Ha Amazon take that... we hear ya and raise you a private label. If you are a seller you should also build your own private label. A trademarked private label will protect your IP and keep Amazon from forcing you into a race to the bottom with other sellers, afterall creating a pricing death spiral is what they do best. Ultimately something has to go before profit and it's usually 3P customer service.

Thanks for the sweet angle Scot, I've been dealing Amazon infringing or assisting infringment on my IP for the last several months and this Amazon private label adds even more fuel to the fire.

There.... I said it... Amazon is not playing the same game in private that they pretend be playing in public. If I list against a Pinzon product do you think they will recognize my first right of resale? Which they are so proud of quoting when they assist with infringing my IP?