More Chinese Amazon sellers may be going global

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BBG Enters China

If this is the first time you’re hearing of the Berlin Brands Group, then you obviously haven’t read our Amazon FBA Rollups article.

BBG, founded in 2005, is an acquisition company that promises to bring brands to the global level. In April, it raised $240 million to buy and scale up Amazon brands.

And now, it’s turning its attention to Chinese sellers.

BBG is looking for companies that make between $1 million and $100 million in sales annually. When acquired, a brand will make use of the company’s distribution channels and tech-fueled marketing to further its reach.

China is already dominating in terms of new seller sign-ups this year. And based on our own study, it also houses more than half of Amazon’s top sellers.

With this new move by BBG, we’re expecting more Chinese brands to level up, increasing competition on the platform.

3 Strategies vs. Counterfeits

Zero counterfeits on Amazon—an ambitious goal, but one the company is making anyway.

Last May, Amazon released its Brand Protection Report, detailing what it has done in 2020 to protect brands from IP infringement.

Recently, they reminded sellers about their efforts highlighting three anti-counterfeiting strategies:

• Robust, proactive controls
• Tools such as Brand Registry, Transparency, and Project Zero
• Holding counterfeiters accountable

However, many sellers in the comments section are not impressed at these so-called efforts. Some sellers expressed their dismay, saying that instead of preventing counterfeiters from entering the platform, they’re stopping authentic sellers instead.

Did you have the same problem?

Google, Offline

Companies want the best of both worlds. Brick-and-mortar stores are brushing up on their online efforts, while ecommerce giants are setting up physical stores.

Google joins that team on June 17 as it opens its first retail store in New York.

You can find Google’s own products such as Pixel phones, but you can also buy merch and third-party accessories.

Despite this, the building is designed more like a showroom than an actual retail store. One of the best parts about it is that many of the furniture used are made from recycled materials. It even earned a LEED Platinum rating.

If you’re ever in Chelsea, give the store a visit and tell us what you think.

Walmart Drones Up

Companies are still experimenting with drone delivery, and Walmart won’t be late to the game. The biggest retailer in the world is partnering with DroneUp to launch its first official drone operation in Arkansas.

This isn’t the first time the two are working together, however. Last year, DroneUp helped Walmart at-home COVID-19 self-collection kits. 

Image Source: PR Newswire

Its ecommerce rival, Amazon, has been working with drone delivery for a while now. We’ll have to see which of them perfects these deliveries first.

On a slightly related matter, DroneUp is proposing a drone emoji to the Unicode Consortium. If you feel like we could use one, sign the petition here. 

Mini Reviews

Listen in. Facebook has officially launched Live Audio Rooms and podcasts.

E-tailers vs. brick and mortar. India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs proposed stricter rules after complaints that Amazon and Flipkart are competing unfairly. 

Wasteful. A video shows Amazon liquidating inventory. Many of them are new and are perfectly fine.

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