Amazon is testing a new program that will help it avoid inventory stockouts with the help of its third-party merchants.
Its new In-Stock Head Start pilot program will make out-of-stock products from sellers who participate in the FBA fulfillment program available for purchase if it is confident about the arrival date of inbound shipments.
Sellers say that in order for their inventory to qualify, they must use Amazon’s own shipping services, however. One seller noted you must send inventory to the fulfillment center using Amazon Carrier Central, the Partnered Carrier program (PCP), or Amazon Global Logistics.
Another issue for sellers is concern about inbound shipments getting hung up in receiving, sometimes taking weeks after arrival before Amazon checks in a seller’s inventory.
One seller noted that Amazon warned that during the pilot phase, sellers would have to manage inventory reconciliation outside of Seller Central reporting.
Amazon told FBA sellers they could see increased traffic and higher sales by enrolling in the program. Sellers can find more information on Amazon Seller Central.
