Introducing Amazon Prime Samples for Vendors
Amazon recently rolled out Amazon Prime Samples, a new program that allows Prime members to try samples of products.
Shoppers can purchase a wide variety of samples, with prices ranging between $2 and $4. For each sample purchased, they will receive credit that can be used toward a future purchase of select full-size products from the category sampled.
According to Amazon, the program was founded to “transform how customers shop by enabling them to try products on Amazon in an easy, risk-free, and delightful way”.
“Amazon Prime Samples could be huge for vendors selling in categories like beauty or even certain supplements,” Dylan Verburgt, Marketplace Channel Analyst at CPC Strategy said.
About Amazon Prime Samples
Amazon Prime Samples, (an extension of the current sample box program) allows customers to order single samples of a product.
According to Amazon, the Prime Samples “Pay $X, Get $X” model drives quality trial and helps improve brand portfolio awareness. It also provides an opportunity for brands to capitalize on Amazon’s fast-growing consumable categories.
So how does it work and what do vendors need to know?
Each sample has a quantity limit of 1 per customer, essentially “eliminating waste from multiple trials” and enabling Amazon to report new customer acquisition and repeat purchases for brands.
For each sample a Prime member buys, they will receive a credit equal to the price they paid for the sample. They can also use this credit towards a future purchase of the full-size item (from the product type sampled).
For example, if a customer purchases an acne face wash sample, they can use this credit towards a purchase of the same face wash in full-size bottle.
Keep in mind – customers can only use credit on items shipped and sold by Amazon.com and the credit will expire 180 days after the sample ships.
5 Things Vendors Should Know About Amazon Prime Samples:
- Vendors can enroll sample ASINs in the program using a sampling specific new item set-up template in Vendor Central.
- Sample categories include beauty products, food and beverages, sports nutrition, and personal care items.
- Samples are only available to Prime members.
- Shipping is free for all Prime Samples. (Prime Samples arrive 3-5 business days after an order is placed).
- Customers can buy as many samples as they want, but can only buy each unique sample once.
You Might Be Interested In
