Take-off Thursday— 27 July 2017
Hey there! Welcome to Take-off Thursdays, your one-stop shop for the latest news and updates about all things ecommerce and Amazon.
I’m releasing these posts each week on Thursdays, so I hope you can join me in pondering the present and the future of commerce in 2017 and beyond!
If you’ve been reading any of the other digest posts and you have enjoyed them, I’d love it if you could give them some likes and shares!

About me
I realized I haven’t really introduced myself in these digest updates yet — how rude of me. Here’s a brief overview of what gets me out of bed each and every day, which helps to contextualize these posts.
I started my career as an Engineer and quickly became tired of the corporate lifestyle. Searching for another path, I decided to launch my own ecommerce business by selling on Amazon, and within a year I was able to replace my corporate salary and leave my job (→ More detailed story here).
Since then, I’ve become the founder and CEO Jungle Scout to help others do the same, and to enable Amazon sellers to succeed faster with less risk of failure, and increase their profits.

At Jungle Scout, we are a remote team of smart go-getters. Not only are we constantly building the best software out there, we’re always putting together tons of free content to help other people succeed as ecommerce entrepreneurs. All the while, we are raising money for amazing charities.
Though I am proud of how far Jungle Scout has come, nothing makes me more proud than hearing stories from other entrepreneurs who have managed to create a life of freedom and choice for themselves by launching their own business. So, if you are one of those people and want to share your stories, I’d love to hear them! In fact — if you share your stories in our competition at junglescout.com/giveaway you could even win some freebies.
Okay great, now we got that out of the way, on with the past week’s news…
Amazon: “Hey Seller, Let Us Buy Your Stock!”
Last week, Amazon made a significant investment in developing its global customer base. They sent an email to select sellers, offering to buy products (at full price) from third-party merchants, to sell to customers around the world.
This is Amazon selling products at a loss for long term growth in their platform. All at no expense to third party sellers. This is the type of investment I can get behind!

Why? Amazon are expanding their portfolio of products, and increasing inventory that can be distributed quickly across their marketplaces. This is a win for Amazon customers and Amazon sellers alike. We have already seen a push with the Pan-European FBA program, that allows sellers to send their inventory to one location so that it can be fulfilled across the EU.
That is unless you are an authorized retailer of a big brand that does not allow you to sell products to resellers, including Amazon, which was the case for Birkenstock.
On the whole, though, third party sellers were able to cash in on inventory and get their products distributed far and wide. A pretty cool initiative!
The Singapore Marketplace Is Close
According to TechCrunch, Amazon are very close to entering southeast Asia as early as this week(!), extending the Amazon platform to Singapore.
Unsurprising news as we know Amazon have been planning this new launch for some time. But it reiterates their growth and long term international plans.
If Amazon continue to make it easier for businesses in commerce to sell all over the world without setting up their own warehouses and fulfillment centers, it’s a sure-fire way to ensure continued growth.
When I hear people ask if the market is too saturated to launch as a seller these days, it’s the international opportunities that I have in the forefront of my mind when I respond with a resounding, “No, this is still a great opportunity.”
In fact, Amazon are about to announce their second-quarter results later today. I’m keeping an eager eye out for this announcement and I’m sure I’ll have some updates on this next week.
The Million Dollar Case Study Goes European
Big announcement. Now that we have successfully launched a product in the U.S. Marketplace in part one of our Million Dollar Case Study, we’re ready to start this entire process all over again: in Europe!
It’s easier than you think to sell on any Amazon marketplace, regardless of where you live. We’re gonna show you how!
It doesn’t matter if you have seen some, all or none of Part 1 of the case study, as we will be covering the exact steps you need to take to find and launch a profitable product. The only difference will be that we are looking for products that hold opportunity in Europe.
We will be starting next Wednesday, August 2nd, reviewing strategies, differences and the exact process of launching a private label product in Europe.
Ask Us Anything!
Got any burning questions about building your own ecommerce business using the Amazon platform?

We have a weekly AMA session with our resident video guru and Amazon seller Lenny Smith: he’s taking your questions and answering them in engaging videos every single week in Ask Jungle Scout.
Go show him some support, get your questions answered and see what we’ve covered so far!
Quote of the Week
Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories. – Laurie Anderson
Book of the week
“The World Is Flat” –– Thomas Friedman

This book has a very relatable premise, that technology is making the world smaller. It’s an interesting take on how this has brought on new opportunities for collaboration and competition.
One huge benefit of technology is global commerce, and I don’t think even Friedman quite anticipated when he wrote this in 2005, the ease and fluidity of international commerce that Amazon would bring to the table in 2017.
Podcast of the Week
I’ve been listening to Mixergy, a podcast featuring proven entrepreneurs and This Week in Startups a lot lately. Both great for a daily dose of inspiration and lessons learned from other entrepreneurs.
Until next Thursday, folks!


