By Martin Heubel, Amazon Strategy Consultant at Consulterce
If you’re a smaller brand selling on Amazon 1P, here’s the harsh truth: You’ll likely lose your Vendor Manager in 2025.
That’s because Amazon:
- Continues its focus on profitability
- Reduces its corporate workforce (5-Day RTO)
- Outsources process ownership to brands
Many 1P vendors already face this new reality.
They either:
- Have no direct Amazon buyer contact
- Have their Vendor Manager move out of the role
- Rely on Vendor Central tickets to manage their business
This creates several challenges as suppliers have no Amazon buyer to:
- Discuss cost increases
- Negotiate trade terms
- Escalate defective processes
Can vendors hope for things to change?
I wouldn’t bet on it.
Amazon just recently increased the revenue thresholds to onboard and keep vendors in Vendor Central.
So ask yourself: Could your business survive without your Vendor Manager?
If the answer is No, start de-risking your Amazon business now.
Build processes that don’t rely on input from your Amazon contact.
Or work with specialised service providers that can help you navigate the increasingly complex world of this algorithm-led retailer.
For further information and support, contact Martin Heubel here
