Amazon Vendor Central

As e-commerce continues to proliferate, many businesses are increasingly looking to platforms like Amazon to expand their market reach. Amazon offers a couple of pathways for businesses to sell their products: Amazon Vendor Central and Amazon Seller Central. This article will explore Amazon Vendor Central in detail and how it contrasts with Seller Central, the services it offers, and much more.

What is Vendor Central Amazon?

Amazon Vendor Central is a web portal that allows manufacturers and suppliers to sell directly to Amazon on a wholesale basis. When you become an Amazon vendor, you essentially become a supplier to Amazon, and Amazon takes responsibility for selling the product to the end consumer. This is a useful option for businesses looking to leverage Amazon’s extensive distribution network for high-volume sales. For example, large manufacturers often use Vendor Central to manage bulk orders and streamline their supply chain processes.

How do I Access Amazon Vendor Central?

1. Visit the Vendor Central website at https://vendorcentral.amazon.com.
2. Log in using your credentials.

To gain access to Vendor Central, you typically need an invitation from Amazon. If you’re invited, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to register. Once you complete the registration, you can log in to the Vendor Central portal.

What is the Difference Between Vendor and Seller Central on Amazon?

Vendor Central and Seller Central are the two primary ways brands can sell on Amazon. Here’s how they differ:

1. Role:

Vendor Central: You sell your products to Amazon in bulk at wholesale prices.

Seller Central: You sell your products directly to consumers.

2. Control:

Vendor Central: Amazon controls product pricing and marketing.

Seller Central: You have control over product pricing, marketing, and customer interactions.

3. Fees:

Vendor Central: Amazon covers shipping and logistics, but charges fees for various services like marketing.

Seller Central: You pay fees based on the selling plan and additional fees for shipping, if you're handling it.

For example, a clothing manufacturer might use Vendor Central to sell large volumes of their clothing directly to Amazon. On the other hand, a small boutique might prefer Seller Central to maintain control over their customer relationships and pricing strategy.

What is Amazon Vendor Services?

Amazon Vendor Services (AVS) is a suite of optional services provided by Amazon to assist vendors in optimizing their presence on the platform. These services can include account management, marketing support, inventory management, and data analysis. For example, AVS can help a vendor optimize their product listings to improve search rankings, thus increasing visibility and potential sales.

Amazon Vendor Central Login

To log in to Amazon Vendor Central:

1. Go to https://vendorcentral.amazon.com.
2. Enter your email and password.
3. Click on "Sign In."

If you have forgotten your password, you can click on "Forgot Password" to reset it.

Amazon Vendor Central Sign-Up

Signup is usually by invitation from Amazon. If you’re invited:

1. You will receive an email from Amazon with a unique link.
2. Follow the link and complete the registration form.
3. Once registered, you can log into Vendor Central and start managing your account.

For example, if your company has been identified as having high sales potential, Amazon may reach out with an invitation to join Vendor Central.

Amazon Vendor Central US

The US version of Amazon Vendor Central is customized for operations within the United States. Vendors can manage their products, orders, and payments specifically for the US market. Features of the US version may include:

1. Managing Purchase Orders (POs).
2. Setting up promotions and marketing campaigns.
3. Accessing sales reports and analytics.

To log in, visit the US-specific portal via https://vendorcentral.amazon.com.

Amazon Vendor Central vs Seller Central

Comparing both platforms:

1. Business Model:

Vendor Central: Business-to-business (B2B) model where you sell to Amazon.

Seller Central: Business-to-consumer (B2C) model where you sell directly to customers.

2. Fulfillment:

Vendor Central: Amazon fulfills customer orders.

Seller Central: The seller can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or handle fulfillment themselves.

3. Payment:

Vendor Central: Payment terms are typically 30, 60, or 90 days.

Seller Central: Payments are made every two weeks.

For example, a tech gadget company selling in bulk might choose Vendor Central, while a startup with unique handcrafted items might opt for Seller Central.

Amazon Vendor Central DE

Amazon Vendor Central DE is the German version of the Vendor Central platform. This version caters specifically to vendors operating within Germany and is accessible at https://vendorcentral.amazon.de. It offers similar functionalities as the US version but tailored for the German market. For example, local regulatory compliance and consumer habits are considered.

Amazon Vendor Central API

The Amazon Vendor Central API allows vendors to integrate their systems directly with Amazon. This facilitates automated processes for inventory management, purchase orders, and sales analytics. For example, using the API, a vendor can automatically update their inventory levels in real-time as new POs are generated.

For comprehensive documentation, you can visit Amazon’s Developer Portal at https://developer.amazonservices.com.

Amazon Vendor Central EU

Amazon Vendor Central EU is the European Union version of the Vendor Central platform, catering to vendors operating in multiple EU countries. This platform supports multiple languages and compliance with EU regulations. An example use-case is a multinational corporation managing vendors in Germany, France, and Spain through a single platform.

Amazon Vendor Central Support

If you have issues or questions regarding Amazon Vendor Central, you can utilize the support options available within the platform:

1. Help Section: Extensive documentation and tutorials.
2. Contact Support: You can submit a ticket for specific issues.
3. AVS: Vendors using Amazon Vendor Services have dedicated account managers for support.

Amazon Integration with Ordoro

Hundreds of Amazon third-party sellers use Ordoro for shipping and inventory management. Ordoro has an excellent integration with Amazon seller central, making it easy for vendors and sellers to manage their logistics seamlessly.

Conclusion

Amazon Vendor Central offers businesses an excellent opportunity to sell directly to Amazon, benefiting from their logistics and distribution networks. While it provides a more B2B sales model, Seller Central is more suited for those who prefer a B2C model. Whichever you choose, leveraging Amazon’s extensive network can significantly boost your business.

Understanding the nuances between the two systems and how they integrate with tools like Ordoro can help you make an informed decision.

For more detailed information, you can always refer to Amazon’s official Vendor Central Help documentation.