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Looking Forward to Prime Day | Part 1 - with Joanna Otto & Predrag Vetnic - Episode 390

Ecommerce Braintrust · with Joanna Otto & Predrag Vetnic · April 29, 2025 · 27 min

Summary

To dominate Prime Day, ecommerce operators must start preparing in April, focusing on meticulous operational execution, aggressive organic and paid strategies, and a keen eye on evolving market dynamics like AI search and economic pressures. Proactive planning and adaptability are crucial for maximizing sales during this expanded four-day event.

Key takeaways

Themes

amazon marketplace strategye-commerce operationsprime day preparationpromotional strategies

Topics covered

amazon ai search optimization (rufus)fba inventory managementinfluencer marketingmerchandising feesorganic search rankingpricing strategyprime day deadlinesuser-generated content

Episode description

Welcome to The Ecommerce Braintrust podcast, brought to you by Julie Spear, Head of Retail Marketplace Services, and Jordan Ripley, Director of Retail Operations. Today kicks off a special two-part series designed to get you fully prepared for Prime Day. In this first episode, we're diving deep into the operational, promotional, and organic strategies you should focus on as the big shopping days approach. We're excited to be joined by Joanna Otto, an Account Manager on Acadia's Retail team. With more than a decade of experience spanning brand-side roles, agencies, and Amazon itself, Joanna brings a seasoned perspective on how Prime Day has evolved. We're also welcoming Predrag Vetnic, one of our lead strategists for tentpole events. He'll be sharing key data insights and best practices for building an effective merchandising strategy, drawn from our work across a wide range of client partners. Tune in to find out more!   KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Julie, Jordan, Joanna, and Predrag discuss: Start Preparing Early: Begin your preparations by April, as deadlines and operational tasks need to be handled well before Prime Day. Important Dates & Deadlines: AWD inventory by May 15, Deal scheduling closes May 23, FBA inventory deadlines: June 9 (minimal shipment splits), June 18 (Amazon-optimized splits). Sales Velocity & Reviews: Focus on increasing sales and reviews using programs like Vine and Product Win to boost organic ranking. Organic Prep: Invest in keyword optimization, competitive scraping, and high-quality content, including im

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about amazon marketplace strategy?
Begin Prime Day preparations by April, including inventory deadlines (AWD by May 15, FBA by June 9/18) and deal scheduling (closes May 23).
What does this episode say about e-commerce operations?
Boost organic ranking by increasing sales velocity and reviews using programs like Vine, and invest in keyword optimization and high-quality content for Amazon’s AI assistant, Rufus, which influences up to 35% of search.
What does this episode say about prime day preparation?
Factor in increased merchandise fees, as PED fees have doubled to $100 and a new coupon fee structure begins June 2.
What does this episode say about promotional strategies?
Prepare for a four-day Prime Day event, anticipating consistent sales throughout and readying for competitive monitoring and rapid pivots.
What does this episode say about amazon marketplace strategy?
Develop flexible pricing strategies due to potential tariffs and market volatility, and strategically invest in targeted organic and paid efforts, including influencer and UGC campaigns.

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