The weather is getting a little colder every day, and the holiday season is fast approaching. But for Amazon sellers, this change of seasons has a deeper meaning. Amazon Q4 is coming, the most profitable time of the year for those running a business on Amazon. Right now, experienced sellers are already in the planning phase. They’re keeping a close eye on the newest trends and the most popular products, which helps them work on their Q4 strategy.
But what if you are a new seller who just heard the term “Amazon Q4” and has no idea what it means? If that’s the case, don’t worry because you have come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about Amazon Q4 and how to prepare for it. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What Does the Q4 Mean?
At first glance, Q4 might seem like a complex mathematical expression. But as far as Amazon is concerned, it’s a simple term that refers to the last (fourth) quarter of the year. Specifically, the period starting from October until December.
There are many holidays during these three months: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. It’s a time when people start looking for gifts to give to their loved ones or trendy items to buy for themselves. So, you can see why you could benefit from this as a seller on a retail platform like Amazon.
What is the Difference Between Q4 & Other Periods?
A year is divided into four quarters: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Each quarter consists of three months, and Q4 includes October, November, and December. The cold weather might seem like the only difference between Q4 and other periods, but there’s more to it.
Every year during Q4, retailers’ sales increases significantly. Amazon is one of the biggest retailers in the world, so naturally, the increase in sales is more tangible on this platform. Sales are exceptionally high during Q4, and sellers are more likely to make huge profits. You can quickly run out of stock in the first month of Q4, so developing a winning strategy and getting ready for this action-packed season is highly recommended.
How to Get Ready for Amazon Q4
So, how do we prepare for Amazon Q4? Is it too late to start planning?
It would be best if you started planning at least in July to get the best results out of this particular timeframe. But it’s not too late; you can start planning now and use the tips below to be fully prepared by October. Here’s how:
1. Optimize Your Listings
Check your available ASINs to ensure that your product is presented to consumers in the best possible light. The quality of product details is more important than ever with increasing online competition. Therefore, strong content on your products’ page, such as a clear title that includes your brand, product variant, and size, will help convince the customer why they need your product. This, in turn, should increase the conversion rate of your campaigns.
2. Run Advertising Campaigns
Q4 is prime gifting season, and we’re seeing slight behavioral shifts in the customer journey. In particular, we see a greater emphasis on browsing versus searches. Therefore, if your business is in a large gift category like toys and games, we recommend advertising campaigns such as Sponsored Products. This leads to additional sales and increases brand exposure by driving traffic to your branded store and increasing awareness of your top ASINs.
3. Focus on Category Keywords
As mentioned above, consumer behavior shifts in the fourth quarter with the start of the gift-giving season. Consumers’ product searches are also becoming more generic as there is more browsing. Conducting thorough keyword research with a focus on more generic category-level keywords like “fitness watch,” “fitness watch tracker,” or “pedometer” could lead to increased sales outside of the branded terms that deliver year-round.
4. Prepare a Resilient Supply Chain
Be prepared for an increase in sales, and make sure you have enough inventory to meet your forecast, regardless of your fulfillment method. Unsurprisingly, improvements to your product pages and advertising campaigns will result in increased sales. Keep an eye on inventory and forecast reports in Seller Central daily if necessary. If your products have a long lead time for replenishment, e.g., because they have to be shipped from the Far East, you should consider this in your logistics plans.
5. Check your inventory
Now is an excellent time to:
- make your delivery plans
- sell or return slow-moving items
- delete products that you no longer offer from stock
- and replenish your best sellers.
This contributes to improving your inventory performance index, and you are guaranteed a more relaxed time when your products are already on their way to Amazon.
Why is Q4 Important on Amazon?
With a quick search on Google, you’ll find that many surveys say a considerable number of shoppers start their Christmas shopping as early as October, and some plan to be done by the end of November. In other words, if you don’t take action, you’re potentially failing to engage these shoppers.
In addition to Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, there are many other holidays in Q4 that you need to get prepared for, including:
- Singles Day on November 11
- Black Friday on November 25
- Cyber Monday on November 28
By preparing for Q4 on Amazon, you will have the chance to sell more than you have during the year, making it the most profitable time for Amazon sellers.
Conclusion
eCommerce is more crucial than ever, and Amazon is the best starting point for those who want their own eCommerce business. If you’re one of those people, you know that you shouldn’t take Q4 lightly. If you don’t start planning right now, before you know it, you’ll find out that the competition is easily winning, and you are missing out on great deals.
If you don’t want that to happen, start planning now. Work on your strategy and optimize your listings while you stock up on supplies. Doing this will help you gain massive profits and a lot of experience for the following year.
