Why sellers lost their faith in Amazon in 2024... [MDSR #38]

Hot Off The Presses 📰

The trees are out on the curb, the presents are unwrapped — and possibly being returned — and now the final sales numbers are rolling in for the 2024 holiday season. 

According to Salesforce, holiday retail sales reached a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the US due to surges in social and mobile commerce… but shoppers have already sent back a staggering $122 billion in merchandise and counting thanks to extended holiday return windows from major players.

If anyone can afford to take on the tidal wave of holiday returns, it’s Amazon. Despite growing criticism from the government, employees, sellers, and shoppers, Amazon saw yet another record-breaking year of growth.

The questionable addition of Amazon Haul aside, their marketplace accounted for 41% of total eCom sales in 2024, and experts are crediting their commitment to wooing shoppers with low prices, steady sales events, and investments in faster delivery speeds. 

As far as their commitments to sellers? Amazon would be the first to tell you that many sellers think the platform is the best bang for the buck, and that things like high fees — and the FBA reimbursement policy causing a revolt right now — aren’t as bad as they seem. After all, operational costs exist no matter where sellers decide to do business. 

There’s some truth to that. But it’s also true that 2024 kickstarted the trend of sellers becoming less loyal to Amazon and surging seller fees were just the beginning. 

From closing seller accounts for unclear reasons and withholding six figure funds, to the new conversion rate-killing frequently returned badge — and effectively barring sellers from setting up shop on Temu’s marketplace — we’ll all need more than new AI tools and better ad features to succeed in 2025. 

With that in mind, this is the time for sellers to get a grasp on not only the broader eCom landscape but the seismic shifts on the horizon. 

Attention metrics are in, performance marketing metrics like return on ad spend are out. Meeting shoppers where they’re already browsing (on their phones and social media apps) will stay very much in, even if TikTok itself may be on its way out. And it’s on sellers to find platform-agnostic ways to blend entertainment with commerce to tap into the social commerce gold rush.  

Million Dollar Advice 💸 

The new year is the perfect time for most people — and especially eCom sellers — to take a minute and reflect. Especially if this line of thinking sounds familiar…

I’ll work 80 hours for myself as long as I don’t have to work 40 hours for someone else. It’s more about commitment to being an entrepreneur than commitment to a particular business idea — even if that means 20 hour work days once in a while.

As someone who did exactly that for 15 years, Nater Youngchild will be the first to tell you that freedom is the real payoff of the entrepreneurial grind. And time spent doing whatever fills your proverbial cup — whether it’s skiing, sitting on a beach, or anything in between — can be just as valuable to your business as time spent at your laptop. 

Want to learn more about how finding your true north can lead to better business decisions?

10 Amazon influencers to follow in 2025 🤳

With social shopping on the rise, Amazon influencers are becoming an essential part of a successful marketing strategy when it comes to boosting visibility, enhancing product credibility, and ultimately driving sales. 

In 2025, a new wave of influencers is taking over Amazon and social media, each excelling in their niche. Here's a list of 10 top influencers sellers should consider for their next collaboration:

1. Brittany Xavier (Instagram - @brittanyxavier)

• Niche: Fashion & Lifestyle

• Why Collaborate: Brittany is known for her chic fashion sense and trendy lifestyle content. Her expertise in curating daily outfits and accessories can help Amazon sellers in the fashion space reach a wider audience.

2. Chris Burkard (Instagram - @chrisburkard)

• Niche: Travel & Adventure Gear

• Why Collaborate: Chris is an adventure photographer and content creator who works with a variety of brands. Sellers in the outdoor or travel product sectors can gain exposure through his stunning travel content.

3. Patricia Bright (YouTube - Patricia Bright)

• Niche: Beauty & Skincare

• Why Collaborate: Patricia is a powerhouse in the beauty community, offering makeup tutorials and skincare routines. She is a great fit for sellers in beauty and personal care products.

4. Justine Ezarik (YouTube - iJustine)

• Niche: Tech & Gadgets

• Why Collaborate: Justine is one of the most influential tech influencers on YouTube. Sellers of electronics, gadgets, and tech accessories can greatly benefit from her broad audience and credibility.

5. Emily Schuman (Instagram - @emilyschuman)

• Niche: Home Decor & Lifestyle

• Why Collaborate: Emily, founder of the blog "Cupcakes and Cashmere," focuses on home decor, fashion, and lifestyle. Sellers in home goods, kitchenware, and furniture should tap into her sophisticated audience.

6. Zach King (Instagram - @zachking)

• Niche: Entertainment & Viral Content

• Why Collaborate: Zach is a social media magician with millions of followers across various platforms. His creative and viral content offers massive potential for product exposure in a fun, engaging way.

7. Tiffiny Hall (Instagram - @tiffinyhall_xo)

• Niche: Fitness & Wellness

• Why Collaborate: Tiffiny’s focus on health, fitness, and mental wellness makes her a top influencer in the wellness niche. Sellers offering fitness equipment, supplements, or activewear should consider collaborating with her.

8. Maya Washington (YouTube - Shameless Maya)

• Niche: Beauty & Empowerment

• Why Collaborate: Maya is a popular beauty influencer known for her empowering content and tutorials. She’s a great fit for beauty product brands looking to target a diverse audience.

9. Katie Ledecky (Instagram - @katieledecky)

• Niche: Sports & Active Gear

• Why Collaborate: Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky is an icon in swimming and fitness. Sports brands, especially those in athletic wear or water gear, can use her credibility to attract customers.

10. Kaitlyn Bristowe (Instagram - @kaitlynbristowe)

• Niche: Lifestyle & Personal Development

• Why Collaborate: Kaitlyn, a reality TV star and podcaster, shares a mix of lifestyle, mental health, and personal growth content. She’s ideal for brands in self-care, personal development, and wellness.

Think these tips are helpful? Feel free to pass ‘em along 🙂 

Need a financial health check 🌡️? 

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Ready for your Free CFO Analysis? Click here to fill out the Intro Call Request Form on our site 🤝

eCom Stock Watch 📊

Click on the table below or view the full size data here. 

Join us for MDS Inspire 2025 🪄

It’s not every day that sellers get an opportunity to brush elbows with the highest concentration of 7-8 figure founders across Amazon, TikTok, and DTC commerce.

MDS Inspire 2025 is your chance to learn from multi-million dollar sellers and brand owners through workshops and keynotes, 1:1 expert chats, and high-level networking with the right people:

📅 Date: March 24-25, 2025

📍 Location: Caesar Palace, Las Vegas

Connect with like-minded eCom sellers in Miami 🏝️ 

Are you an eCommerce entrepreneur hungry for networking and community? Join us for our next Miami Ecom Lunch, a free event hosted by MDS. 

📅 Date: January 16, 2025

⏰ Time: 12PM - 2PM EST

📍 Location: Veza Sur Brewing Co. (map)

🎫 Admission: Free

If you’re an ecom entrepreneur selling over 100K in revenue, this is the perfect networking event for you — enjoy a delicious free meal while making powerful connections, sharing ideas, and learning strategies to grow your business faster alongside fellow eCom enthusiasts.

Register below ⤵️

Did you see that post 📲

Some Amazon storefront inspo for your 2025 vision board… 

Until Next Time ✌️

As always, thanks for sticking with us until the end. 

If you’d care to share your thoughts on this newsletter, we’re all ears. Just hit reply to sound off. 

See you next time with more of the latest and greatest content you need to succeed this year 🔥

Sincerely, 

Looking for a mastermind community?

Million Dollar Sellers (MDS) is an exclusive community of 650+ like-minded Amazon and DTC sellers from all over the world. Collectively, our members generate more than 8 billion in annual sales and dominate some of the biggest categories on Amazon. MDS offers world-class events, chapters, industry discounts, resource libraries full of SOPs, templates, and video recordings of private trainings, workshops, events and so much more.

If you are looking for a business professional community made for ecom entrepreneurs, then consider applying today. 

*To qualify, you must be a full-time seller or brand owner and do at least 1 million in verified annual revenue. Will Amazon’s Returnless Resolutions solve the returns debacle? [MDSR #30]