Monthly Amazon Update - June 2018

This short overview covers the most interesting Amazon updates in June 2018. From the purchase of the online pharmacy PillPack by Amazon US to the latest developments in video shopping and the launch of an exciting vendor program: it´s worth reading.

Amazon Info:

Amazon buys the US online pharmacy PillPack and jumps into the billion-dollar prescription drug industry.
Link

Amazon Fresh News I: US customers are criticizing Amazon's grocery-delivery program and complain about disappearing or ruined orders.
Link

Amazon Fresh News II: In Berlin, Amazon Fresh has problems with delivering frozen goods due to supply bottlenecks of dry ice.
Link (German)

Amazon Business, the marketplace for commercial customers on Amazon, pushes into Italy and Spain after UK entry.
Link

Amazon causes excitement by announcing to build new delivery fleets or subsidizing them.
Link

The big German drugstore chains dm, Rossmann and Douglas call in a letter to the federal government to joint liability of Amazon for product infringements. The reason are products on Amazon which do not comply with the EU Cosmetics Regulation.
Link (German)

The New York Times reports about the historical development of Amazon's proprietary brands and provides a legal perspective for the future.
Link

Amazon Marketing Essentials

Amazon launches a new marketing initiative for vendors in the US: "Born to Run" helps to promote new products. Amazon buys a stock of $ 50,000 if the manufacturer commits to invest 10% in AMS campaigns. In addition, Amazon secures a right of return for all products that are not sold within 10 weeks.
Link I (German)
Link II (English)

Amazon video-shopping News I: Amazon uses live sales videos on Amazon.com at certain times of the day. These can be found in the category "Today's Deals".
Link

Amazon video-shopping News II: The category "Watch & Shop" on Amazon US now includes “Amazon Exclusives”. These are products that are only available on the Amazon Marketplace and presented in shopping videos.
Link

Voice Search

Amazon launches the new Echo Look in the US. Echo Look is a clothing assistant which checks the styles based on AI. Price: $ 199.
Link I (English)
Link II (German)

Amazon announces a partnership with the hotel chain Marriott. Alexa speakers would be available in the hotel rooms as voice assistants. Alexa for hospitality would assist in providing services ranging from ordering room service to requesting housekeeping or calling the concierge.
Link

Amazon is pushing voice commerce with a "developer preview" initiative for Amazon Pay.
Link (German)

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