The Smartest Amazon Seller

Scott is joined by CPG expert Nik Hall to discuss what truly drives success for consumer packaged goods brands on Amazon. Drawing from his experience building and exiting a gummy vitamin company, Nik shares hard-earned insights on category trends, why most failures come from chasing hype too late, and how overlooked niches often present the best opportunities. Get real-world lessons from both failed launches and breakout brands, highlighting the importance of strategy, timing, and execution. Scott and Nik also explore how to validate product-market fit through blind taste tests, review mining, and competitor analysis. Nik emphasizes that in the world of consumables, taste still reigns supreme. No amount of marketing can save a mediocre product. They discuss how tools like SmartScout can guide smarter decisions around product development and launch timing, offering a clear roadmap for new sellers aiming to succeed in today’s competitive CPG landscape. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Nik Hall Introduction 01:20 - Nik’s Background 01:57 - Success vs. Failure in CPG on Amazon 03:31 - Chasing Trends: Opportunities and Pitfalls 05: 10 - Multi-Trend Positioning 08:30 - Taste and Longevity: What Really Drives LTV 08:52 - Product Development: Testing and Sensory Analysis 11:07 -  Navigating Manufacturing and Co-Packing Challenges 14:50 - Real-World Failure 18:17 - Product-Market Fit in CPG 19:03- Customer Conversations and Amazon Research 20:53 - Choosing a Launch Path 21:24 - The Realities of Retail 22:14 - The Permissionless Nature of Amazon and D2C 23:10 - Startup Resource Requirements 23:40 - Founders’ Stories 25:05 - Best Resources for New CPG Entrepreneurs 27:25 - Networking, Mentorship, and Building Real Relationships 29:08 - Content Marketing and Honest Advice 29:30 - Helping Select Brands and Giving Back   Related Post: The Top CPG Brands That Launched on Amazon Since 2018   How to Reach Nik: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nikhall Website: vitafive.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott and Alan Weiss, CEO of AVX Returns and a former 8-figure reseller, unpack the real cost and hidden opportunity behind Amazon returns. They explore why return management is often overlooked, how AVX turns chaos into cash, and what resellers can do to stop leaving money on the table. Episode Notes: 01:22 - Alan Weiss Introduction 02:23 - Alan’s Background and the start of AVX Returns 03:40 - The Reseller Landscape and the Sellers United Conference 04:33 - The Real Costs and Challenges of Handling Returns 07:35 - AVX Returns’ Unique Approach to Reseller Returns 10:30 - Return Categories and Recovery Realities 11:37 - Reimbursement Opportunities 13:06 - The Psychology and Business Wisdom of Returns Management 15:16 - Operational Best Practices for Sellers   Related Post: Why U.S. Amazon Shoppers Deliver Near-Double Value Compared to International Buyers   How to Reach Alan: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alan-weiss-1b6a4431 Website: avxreturns.com Email: info@avxreturns.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott gets into the real-world financial decisions Amazon sellers face, especially when it comes to leveraging debt. He shares firsthand experience navigating inventory demands, Q4 cash crunches, and the lure of fast growth, while also examining the dangers of borrowing, from overvaluing inventory to the addictive cycle of continual loans. Hear case studies, cautionary tales, and reflections on what separates sellers who survive from those who flame out. Whether you’re debating your first credit line or considering a private label acquisition, this episode offers grounded insight—and a compelling argument for building debt-free, sustainable Amazon businesses.   Episode Notes: 00:09 - Iconic Companies That Haven’t Taken Loans 01:12 - The Need for Cash in Amazon Selling 02:04  - Navigating Financial Leverage 02:26 - Types of Financial Leverage Used 06:32 - The Downside of Leverage 12:10 - A Case Study: Private Label Acquisition During Leverage 13:52 - Survival and Demise of Major Amazon Sellers 16:12 - The Case for Debt-Free Growth 18:21 - Amazon Accelerate   Related Post: Nike and Amazon's Renewed Partnership   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog    

Scott returns from Prosper to share some personal updates and Amazon insights. Prime Day is expanding to four days this year — a move that makes sense as Amazon tries to give shoppers and sellers more time to take advantage of the buzz. Scott also talks about the return of Sellers United this October near New York City, a conference built for resellers of all sizes. Plus, he gives a casual rundown of what’s new at SmartScout. From tools that help track where your products get mentioned online to ways of better understanding pricing trends. It’s a laid-back, behind-the-scenes update with a bit of everything for Amazon sellers. Episode Notes: 00:15 - New developments and Upcoming Announcements 01:14 - Amazon Prime Day – Strategy and Insights 02:30 - Sellers United Conference Announcement 05:57 - New Tools: Traffic Links 09:43 - Pricing Intelligence 14:40 - Content Marketing and Brand Awareness Related Post: Who Competes with Circana? The Top Alternatives for Retail and CPG Data Intelligence   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Kicking off with a surprising connection through pickleball that led to discovering shared passions in e-commerce innovation, Scott sits with Andrew Smith, founder of Swapt and former Klaviyo engineer, about building smarter tools for Amazon sellers. Andrew shares his journey from working at IBM and Oracle to witnessing rapid growth at Klaviyo, which shaped his understanding of what marketplace sellers truly need. They dive into how Swapt is helping Amazon-native brands drive customer engagement and reviews through one-time use QR codes, while staying fully compliant with Amazon’s strict policies. With a successful case study generating $100K in sales and 500 reviews in three months, this episode is packed with insights for CPG, beauty, and supplement brands looking to boost performance and build direct customer relationships without risking their margins.   Episode Notes: 00:19 - Andrew Smith Introduction  01:52 - Andrew’s Background 02:23 - Scaling at Klaviyo and E-commerce Ecosystem Insights 05:39 - Data, Email Marketing, and the Amazon Challenge 08:59 - The Impact of Recent E-commerce Headwinds 09:52 - The Genesis and Evolution of Swapt 13:16 - Discovering the Amazon Brand Opportunity 19:57 - Technical Innovations and Results 20:38 - Navigating Amazon Compliance and Risk 25:00 - Who Should Use Swapt? 27:05 - Getting Started with Swapt   Related Post: Top 10 Tennis Racket Brands on Amazon   How to Reach Andrew: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewsm1th Website: https://swqr.link/   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog  

Jasim Eisa, Founder and CEO of Voadera, built an $80 million e-commerce business from the ground up, and here, he shares what’s working now—and what’s not. Scott and Jasim explore big shifts in the marketplace, such as Nike coming back to Amazon and what that means for resellers. Jasim also breaks down how major brands such as Adidas and Michael Kors are changing the way they sell on the platform and what sellers need to know about the growing “diversion economy.” With Amazon tightening its supply chain rules, Voadera is moving away from traditional arbitrage and focusing on direct brand deals and smart acquisitions. You'll also hear practical tips on adapting to Amazon’s policy changes, rising FBA fees, and optimizing your logistics to stay profitable.   Episode Notes: 00:18 - Jasim Eisa Introduction 00:26 - The Big Brands’ Approach to Amazon 07:12 - Reseller Economy and Marketplace Double-Dipping 08:45 - 1P vs 3P Strategy and Policy Cycles 12:18 - Diversion and the Gray Market 14:45 - Moving Beyond Arbitrage: Brand Direct and Acquisitions 16:03 - Adapting to Amazon’s Fee and Policy Changes 18:18 - Arbitrage’s Diminishing Role and Supply Chain Optimization 19:52 - Warehousing, Fulfillment, and Grade B Marketplaces 21:28 - Future Investments: Supply Chain, AI, and Creative Tools 23:19 - Building a Top Brand Direct Business 24:29 - Favorite Tools & Technology Stack Related Post: The Best Nielsen IQ and Data Impact Alternatives for Amazon Market Intelligence — Starting with the One Built for Visibility, Not Vanity   How to Reach Jasim: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasim-eisa-425735145 Website: voadera.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JasimEisa   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Scott welcomes industry veteran Rob Principe to explore the explosive growth potential in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). Drawing from his extensive experience at Jungle Scout and Netrush, Rob shares insights on how emerging brands can leverage strategic positioning and TikTok's unparalleled reach to transform from unknown startups to market leaders. Learn why TikTok has become the essential platform for modern CPG marketing as Rob breaks down the critical differences between micro and macro-influencer strategies and their impact on consumer trust. This is a masterclass in social media marketing for e-commerce brands, revealing how the right digital presence can dramatically accelerate brand growth and establish lasting customer relationships.   Episode Notes: 00:13 - Robert Principe Introduction 01:23 - Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) 03:07 - CPGs and Top 10 Lists 05:50 - Challenger Brands: Growth and Positioning 08:51 - GLP-1s, Protein Trends, and Product Positioning 12:10 - The Evolution of Protein Bars & Consumer Tastes 14:44 - Identifying PE-Backed Versus Bootstrapped Brands 15:37 - Multi-Channel Launch Strategies for Brands 17:17 - Matching Brands with the Right Service Providers 20:43 - The Critical Role of TikTok for Modern Brands 24:12 - Navigating TikTok Agencies and Service Providers 28:47 - Brick and Mortar: Still Relevant for CPG? 31:54 - Influencer vs. Affiliate Strategies on TikTok 37:45 - The Value of Human Touch and Relationship Building   Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace   How to Reach Robert: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/etailfounder Website: etail-advisors.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Justin Willhite, Senior Influencer Marketing Manager at Twitch and Owner and Principal Talent at CommQuest, shares invaluable insights from his journey from YouTube creator to running a successful video production studio. Discover why "dark social media" is transforming marketing strategies, how brands can create genuinely shareable content, and the delicate balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining authentic connections with audiences. Also, don't miss Justin's predictions on where video marketing is headed and how to stay ahead of the curve!   Episode Notes: 00:22 - Justin Willhite Introduction 01:52 - Justin Willhite Background and Industry Experience 05:18 - What is dark social media? 07:30 - Starting a Video Production Company & Working with Brands 10:18 - The Social Media Content Playbook for Brands 13:52 - Creating Viral and Engaging Product Content 19:35 - The AI Revolution in Video Marketing 21:10 - Implications of AI for Content Creators and Marketers 27:45 - Favorite AI Tools and Practical Tips 29:50 - UGC Strategies: In-House vs. Outsourced Creator Content   Related Post: How To Be a Trusted Seller on Amazon   How to Reach Justin: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinwillhite | linkedin.com/company/commquestofficial/   Scott’s Links:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Neha Bhuchar, co-founder of Atom11 and former Amazon Advertising insider, shares Amazon Advertising secrets—revealing the game-changing concept of "retail-aware advertising" that integrates inventory, pricing, and search rank signals with advertising automation to maximize ROI. Discover how Amazon's algorithms work, from the critical difference between click-through and conversion rates to strategic approaches for the newly democratized Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC). Neha breaks down complex concepts into actionable strategies for sellers at every level, from optimizing audience targeting to balancing conversion improvements with cost efficiency. The conversation explores 2024's pivotal changes to AMC access, practical thresholds for implementation, and bold predictions for the future of e-commerce advertising. Whether you're managing campaigns in-house or evaluating automation tools, this episode delivers a rare insider perspective on Amazon's advertising ecosystem and Atom11's transparent approach to helping sellers thrive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace. This is for Amazon sellers, e-commerce marketers, advertising strategists, and anyone looking to understand the future of retail advertising technology. Episode Notes: 00:26 - Neha Bhuchar Introduction 00:20 - Neha’s Background and Atom11 06:00 - Retail Aware Advertising 07:25 - Dynamic Bidding & Audience Creation 10:39 - Amazon Marketing Cloud 13:36 - Audience Targeting Challenges 14:01 - Look-alike Audience 15:50 - Mainstream Adoption of AMC 26:45- Tariff and Amazon Ads 31:05 - Impact of AI on Ads Related Post: Amazon PPC Services: A Guide to Boosting Sales and Choosing the Right Partner How to Reach Neha:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehabhuchar Website: https://www.atom11.co/   Scott’s Links:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

Discover the underutilized potential of Amazon Carrier Central for enhanced shipment trackability, effective management, and avoiding costly delays, especially during peak times such as Prime Day. Tyler Allgaier, Founder & CEO of Pitted Labs, breaks down how live loads directly at fulfillment facilities can be a game-changer for your operations. But that's not all – Scott and Tyler dive deep into Amazon bundling strategies, exploring how recent policy updates impact consumable categories and how creating unique offers can give you a competitive edge. Learn how smart bundling can significantly increase your AOV, thereby reducing the percentage impact of FBA fees, much like Costco’s successful model. Tyler also shares insights on using virtual bundles as a low-risk way to test market demand. Plus, get tips on navigating D2C shipping and direct carrier negotiations in light of changing postal service rates. Episode Notes: 00:22 - Tyler Allgaier Introduction 02:20 - Background and Origins of the Carrier Central 03:32 - The Importance of Carrier Central: Practical Advice 09:07 - Amazon’s Bundle Policy Updates 13:19 - The Benefits and Strategy of Bundling on Amazon 14:29 - Types of Bundles and Customer Behavior Insights 16:00 - Bundling Tactics: Operational Considerations and Virtual Bundles 20:11 - Catalog Expansion vs. Profit Optimization Through Bundling 21:31 - Innovative Bundling: Cross-Brand Collaborations 23:47 - Trends in Logistics and the Role of Direct Carrier Relationships 26:52 - Tyler Allgaier Future Plans and Final Thoughts Related Post: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building How to Reach Tyler: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tylerallgaier Website: pittedlabs.com | pittedlogistics.com   Scott’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog