Amazon doesn't negotiate - it tests your limits. In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie, together with Amazon expert Martin Heubel, reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of the annual vendor negotiations (AVNs). They discuss why brands are facing tougher terms, shrinking margins, and higher investments, and what smart strategies can help turn the tide. Martin explains how sellers can set clear investment caps, use retail media to strengthen their position, and avoid getting caught in Amazon's profit spiral. They also talk about why hybrid models can be both a safety net and a trap, why Amazon Vendor Service (AVS) has become indispensable, and how Amazon's innovation engine is slowing down even as the company opens its logistics infrastructure to competitors. A must-listen for anyone preparing for AVNs or managing a vendor account.

Note from the sponsor MediaMarktSaturn:

Are you ready to take your sales to the next level during Black Week at MediaMarktSaturn? Then don’t miss the upcoming webinar, “Black Week Success on MediaMarktSaturn - How to Maximize Your Sales Potential”. Join the experts Nikolaus Volpini de Maestro from the retailer Nero Group and Alexander Klinger from MediaMarktSaturn, on October 13th at 2 PM for a free, live session. This webinar is perfect for brands in Electronics, Home & Living, DIY, Sports, and Toys, looking to boost their sales during Black Week. You will not only learn how to optimize your product range and inventory and set up successful campaigns, but also how to prepare for Black Week, and how to use bundles to boost your sales. Sign up right now!

Pimkie is the first European brand to use Shein's Xcelerate program – and in return, it faces a lawsuit from its former owners and exclusion from the French industry association. Is this move a lifeline or a massive reputational risk? Ingrid and Valerie discuss this in today's news episode. They also analyze the latest Temu user numbers (spoiler: huge growth!), delve into Amazon and Mirakle’s AI efforts, which are taking Agentic Commerce to the next level, and examine OnBuy’s EU expansion and Allegro’s quarterly figures. A packed episode with an analysis of the key marketplace news from September!

Note from the sponsor bol:

Did you know that in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas on December 5 is actually more important than Christmas Eve? For sellers, this means the holiday season starts much earlier – and at bol, sales go up by 70% during this period. To help sellers make the most of it, bol offers clear guidelines on pricing, promotions, and delivery speed. With Logistics via bol, for example, you can offer next-day delivery – a real conversion driver, since 40% of all purchases happen after 5 PM. Want to dive deeper? Then join the bol Connect Event on October 20 in Munich! Exchange, networking, great food, and a pleasant atmosphere – register here: https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1FQAhq2utHGMMNZzGhclkkFsqGNqo1wgvSiTdjm9GBeEYO7FUsl9cJmi4uTIUn2yD

Note for marketplace webinars:

This fall, you can deepen your knowledge of key marketplaces in various live webinars, such as:

• October 13th: Black Week Success on MediaMarktSaturn – How to Maximize Your Sales Potential Register here
• October 30th: Europe is Calling: Expand to Seven Markets with One Kaufland Account Register here
• November 6th: How to Join the ABOUT YOU Marketplace – Now Easier Than Ever Register here
• Or if you'd like to learn more about bol, check out the recording from September 23th: Start Selling on bol Marketplace – Faster, Easier, Smarter Watch the recording here

Without the right product images, nothing works. But: different style guides, missing samples, questions around color accuracy, videos - all of that can make costs skyrocket fast. Can AI help? Yes - when it acts as an on-set co-pilot for photographers and models, steering lighting, poses, style-guide compliance, and quality assurance. How this works in practice - and why it’s a real performance lever for fashion brands and sellers - is what Ingrid and Valerie discuss with Gianni Serazzi from Pixelmoda.

Takeaways:

• No GenAI renderings: Items are shot for real; AI optimizes the process.
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• Costs down, output up: According to Pixelmoda, up to −70% for photos and −90% for videos at consistent “luxury-grade” quality.
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• Speed in days, not weeks: Turnarounds usually < 5 days, in express cases same day - without compromising color fidelity or consistency.
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• Scaling without style drift: ≈ 3× more SKUs/day and pixel-perfect execution of Zalando, Amazon & Co. style guides.
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• Direct business impact: More content noticeably lifts conversion and reduces returns - Pixelmoda typically reports +5–15% sales and −5–20% returns.
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Who is it for?

Experienced sellers and brand teams (not only in fashion) who treat content ops as a revenue and P&L lever - not a cost center.