Amazon WebStore adds support for gated Amazon categories
Aug 4th, 2008 | By Max Leisten | Category: Amazon WebstoreAmazon released a new version of its WebStore service (version 4.9.4) that now permits online retailers to launch an Amazon-hosted e-commerce store in six new, previously unavailable categories: Jewelry, Watches, Apparel, Gourmet, Personal Computers and Industrial & Scientific.
Previously merchants that were not authorized to sell in any of these categories on Amazon, but that desired to launch a WebStore, were out of luck. Amazon was unable to block WebStores from the main Amazon site inventory. As a result, launching a WebStore in a gated category (such as jewelry) required Amazon approval and assistance (hampering growth of the overall service).
With this new release online retailers can now create an Amazon WebStore in Jewelry and Apparel categories (Check out www.gemaffair.com for a great-looking jewelry WebStore that was launched with Amazon’s assistance). Find more at https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/iws-merchant/home.htm (valid Seller Central credentials required).
Why does this matter? One strategy for getting into a gated product category is to build an Amazon WebStore and showing Amazon that you are a qualified e-commerce retailer that understands to treat his (or her) customers well. Merchandise your products well, build a solid sales history over six months (with a very low Order Defect Rate) and then reach out to the Amazon category manager.
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For folks who don’t have a seller central account, they can use the webstore knowledge center for more information on this feature: http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/webstore/release_notes/4.9.4/rns_4.9.4_external.html
hope this helps.
I can add that the addition our Webstore by Amazon has helped our business tremendously. We love the combination of being able to manage both venues from one user interface, saves tons of time and energy by my staff!