As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of thought leadership and insights from the Akeneo team. For the 12th and final day of our 12 Days of PXMas, we’re highlighting 12 of our most impactful bylines published in leading industry outlets. These articles tackle critical topics such as AI, ESG, retail strategies, and more, offering actionable advice and innovative perspectives. Each piece reflects Akeneo’s commitment to driving better product experiences and empowering businesses to thrive in a dynamic marketplace.

From navigating holiday challenges to leveraging AI for conversational commerce, this list showcases the breadth of our expertise and dedication to shaping the future of retail and eCommerce. Let’s dive into the highlights from an exceptional year of thought leadership.

1. What a Shortened Holiday Season Means for Retail

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in My Total Retail

In the condensed 2024 holiday season, with only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, retailers face intensified pressure to optimize their omnichannel strategies. This article delves into actionable tactics such as initiating campaigns early, extending promotional periods, and ensuring consistent, detailed product information across all channels to enhance customer experience. By implementing these approaches, brands can effectively navigate the shortened timeframe and maximize revenue opportunities during this critical shopping period.

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2. Betting on ESG: The Smart Move for Now and the Future

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in Industry Today

In an era where consumers increasingly favor sustainably sourced products and governments enforce stringent environmental regulations, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles has become essential for businesses aiming to thrive. This article explores how proactive ESG initiatives not only enhance brand reputation but also open doors to new markets, aligning corporate strategies with evolving consumer expectations and legal mandates. By delving into global sustainability regulations and offering practical steps for implementation, it provides a roadmap for companies to navigate the complexities of ESG integration, ensuring long-term success in a rapidly changing landscape

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3. How Enterprise SaaS Companies Can Thrive in an AI-Driven World

Author: Jesse Creange | Published in Unite.ai
AI is reshaping the SaaS landscape, offering both opportunities and challenges. This article explores how these companies can leverage their existing strengths while enhancing their offerings with AI capabilities, providing clients with superior solutions. It examines the potential threats AI poses to traditional SaaS models and offers strategies for adaptation and growth in this evolving landscape.

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4. How AI and LLMs Are Ushering in a New Era of Conversational Commerce

Author: Jesse Creange | Published in Retail TouchPoints
Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing the retail landscape by transforming conversational commerce into a dynamic, personalized experience. This article explores the cutting-edge ways retailers are leveraging AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants to engage customers, streamline the shopping journey, and boost conversion rates. With insights into how these technologies enhance customer interactions and deliver real-time solutions, this must-read piece outlines the future of shopping in an AI-powered world. Don’t miss the opportunity to uncover actionable strategies for staying ahead in the evolving world of conversational commerce.

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5. The Key Role of Product Taxonomy in AI-Driven Retail Strategies

Author: Sarah Assous | Published in Chain Store Age
Unlock the power of product taxonomy in the age of AI-driven retail strategies. This article dives into how a well-structured product taxonomy serves as the backbone of seamless customer experiences, enabling precise search results, personalized recommendations, and efficient inventory management. By exploring the intersection of AI and taxonomy, it highlights actionable insights for retailers looking to enhance decision-making, drive conversions, and remain competitive in a fast-paced, digital-first landscape. Discover why mastering your product taxonomy is key to thriving in the future of retail.

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6. Demystifying Mergers & Acquisitions To Make The Most Of A Transformative Process

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in Forbes Business Development Council
Explore the transformative world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in this insightful article that breaks down the complexities of the process and reveals how to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether you’re navigating cultural integration, aligning strategic goals, or maximizing financial outcomes, this piece offers expert advice and actionable strategies to ensure a successful M&A journey. Perfect for business leaders and decision-makers, it demystifies the intricacies of M&A, empowering companies to leverage this powerful tool for innovation and competitive advantage. Don’t miss this roadmap to mastering one of the most impactful business strategies.

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7. In Her Own Words: In the World of Tech, Kristin Naragon Finds Comfort in Discomfort

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in BizJournal
Dive into the inspiring journey of Kristin Napier, a trailblazer in the tech industry, as she shares her insights on navigating the ever-evolving world of technology. In this compelling profile, Kristin opens up about her leadership philosophy, strategies for fostering innovation, and the importance of creating inclusive environments that empower women in tech. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this article offers valuable lessons and a fresh perspective on thriving in a dynamic and competitive field. Don’t miss this candid look into Kristin’s world and the wisdom she brings to the forefront of technology and leadership.

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8. 5 Key Ways AI and ML Can Transform Retail Business Operations

Author: Jesse Creange | Published in InformationWeek
Discover the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in revolutionizing retail business operations. This article uncovers five critical ways these technologies are reshaping the industry, from enhancing supply chain efficiency and optimizing inventory management to personalizing customer experiences and driving data-driven decision-making. Packed with actionable insights, it highlights how retailers can leverage AI and ML to stay competitive, improve profitability, and meet evolving consumer demands. Dive in to explore the future of retail and the cutting-edge tools that are setting new standards for innovation and efficiency.

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9. Omnichannel for Retailers: Product Data Consistency Is the Key

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in Spiceworks
In today’s retail landscape, delivering seamless omnichannel product experiences is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. This article explores how retailers can harness the power of unified product data to create consistent, personalized shopping experiences across every touchpoint, from in-store to online. Learn how investing in robust data management systems and aligning product information strategies can boost customer satisfaction, drive loyalty, and increase revenue. Packed with expert insights and practical tips, this must-read piece is your guide to thriving in a retail world defined by interconnected, customer-first experiences.

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10. The Retail Tech Revolution Is Here: Are You Prepared?

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in My Total Retail
The retail tech revolution is transforming the way businesses operate, compete, and connect with customers. This article dives into the cutting-edge technologies reshaping the industry, from AI-powered personalization and advanced data analytics to seamless omnichannel integrations. It offers actionable insights on how retailers can embrace innovation to streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and future-proof their business strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned retailer or just starting your digital transformation journey, this piece provides the guidance you need to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Don’t miss the chance to prepare for the future of retail today!

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11. Optimize Your Amazon Presence for Maximum Sales Success

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in eCommerce Times
Unlock the secrets to maximizing sales success on Amazon with this insightful guide to optimizing your presence on the world’s largest eCommerce platform. This article covers essential strategies, from refining your product listings and leveraging Amazon’s advertising tools to harnessing customer reviews and analytics for continuous improvement. Whether you’re a new seller or an established brand, you’ll find actionable tips to boost visibility, drive conversions, and stay ahead in Amazon’s competitive marketplace. Dive in to discover how to turn your Amazon storefront into a powerhouse for growth and profitability!

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12. Why Return Season Is a Golden Opportunity for Retailers

Author: Kristin Naragon | Published in My Total Retail
Discover why the post-holiday return season is more than just a logistical challenge—it’s a golden opportunity for retailers to strengthen customer relationships and boost future sales. This article explores how savvy retailers can turn returns into a competitive advantage through seamless processes, personalized offers, and enhanced customer experiences. Packed with actionable insights, it highlights strategies to retain loyalty, reduce costs, and even drive additional revenue during one of the busiest times of the year. Don’t miss this must-read guide to making return season work for your business!

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12 Days of PXMas

As we wrap up our 12 Days of PXMas celebration, it’s clear that 2024 was a year of significant innovation, thought leadership, and impactful insights from the Akeneo team. Each of these 12 articles highlights the critical topics shaping the future of retail, eCommerce, and product experiences, from AI advancements and ESG initiatives to omnichannel strategies and the evolving role of data. 

We’re proud to have shared actionable advice and forward-thinking perspectives that empower businesses to navigate a rapidly changing marketplace. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and here’s to continuing to drive exceptional product experiences together in the year ahead!

On the 11th day of PXMas, Akeneo brings to you… 11 powerful channels to activate your product experiences! 

As we near the end of our 12 Days of PXMas campaign, we’re spotlighting the incredible potential of Akeneo Activation to help you connect your enriched product data to the world’s leading eCommerce platforms. Whether you’re selling chic boots on Zappos, high-end handbags on Nordstrom, or industrial tools on Grainger, the right product information can make all the difference.

Akeneo Activation empowers brands to scale their product experiences seamlessly, meeting the unique requirements of each channel and delivering the accurate, complete information customers expect. In today’s competitive market, driving conversions and building loyalty starts with optimized, engaging product content – and we’re here to help you make it happen.

From luxury retailers to global marketplaces, here are 11 standout eCommerce channels Akeneo Activation supports and how it can help you shine this holiday season and beyond.

11 Activation Channels

1. Amazon

Amazon dominates the eCommerce world, attracting millions of shoppers daily, and hosting an incredibly diverse audience. It has positioned itself as the leader of online shopping for over a decade now, with millions of customers turning to the platform every day for everything from household staples to luxury goods. Its audience is as diverse as its product offerings, including budget-conscious buyers, tech-savvy professionals, and premium shoppers seeking high-quality products. With 74% of shoppers using the platform to discover new brands and 7,400 products sold every minute in the US, it’s clear why brands need to optimize their presence on Amazon. 

Selling on Amazon opens the door to this massive audience, but brands need to choose the right approach: Amazon Vendor Central (1P) or Amazon Seller Central (3P). Vendors sell wholesale to Amazon, benefiting from its reputation and logistics but giving up control over pricing and margins. Sellers sell directly to customers, maintaining greater control over pricing and branding but with more operational responsibilities. A hybrid model, combining Vendor and Seller approaches, can help brands strike a balance, leveraging the scale of Vendor Central for high-volume products while using Seller Central to manage niche or long-tail items. Regardless of the approach, optimizing your product listings is essential to standing out in Amazon’s crowded marketplace. This is where Akeneo comes in. 

With Akeneo PIM and Activation for Amazon, brands can easily manage and optimize their Amazon presence. Akeneo ensures your product data is accurate and compelling, helping you stand out in the marketplace. Whether you’re engaging Amazon as a Vendor, a Seller, or both, Akeneo empowers you to deliver superior product experiences to meet the expectations of Amazon’s vast and varied customer base. 

2. Walmart Marketplace

Walmart Marketplace is a thriving eCommerce platform that allows third-party sellers to list their products alongside Walmart’s own offerings on Walmart.com. With 120 million monthly visitors, the platform caters to a vast and diverse audience. Walmart’s shoppers range from budget-conscious families looking for everyday essentials to value-focused consumers seeking quality products across multiple categories like groceries, home goods, and electronics. Known for its trusted reputation and competitive pricing, Walmart’s customer base is loyal and expansive, making it a critical channel for brands aiming to grow their presence. 

However, selling on Walmart Marketplace has been a daunting task. Vendors and sellers faced time-consuming processes, often relying on spreadsheets and multiple data sources to meet Walmart’s strict product requirements. These manual workflows led to delays, errors, and incomplete product records, negatively impacting performance on the platform. 

Akeneo simplifies this complexity with its seamless integration with Walmart Marketplace. Using Akeneo Activation, brands can quickly set up the channel, map product attributes to Walmart’s requirements, and automatically syndicate enriched product information and digital assets directly from Akeneo PIM. This ensures accurate, compliant product listings, reduces time-to-market, and improves performance on the platform. 

With Akeneo’s direct API integration, brands no longer need to waste time on managing data manually. Instead, they can focus on reaching Walmart’s audience with optimized product experiences, driving sales and growth. 

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3. eBay Marketplace

eBay Marketplace is a global eCommerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers across 190 markets. Known for its wide variety of product categories, eBay caters to diverse audiences, from bargain hunters seeking deals to niche collectors and professional shoppers looking for premium items. Sellers range from small entrepreneurs to major brands, all leveraging eBay’s robust platform to reach a vast and engaged global customer base. Buyers are drawn to eBay for its competitive pricing, expansive selection, and secure purchasing environment, making it a key marketplace for businesses looking to scale their operations. 

However, establishing a presence on eBay Marketplace has been a challenge. Sellers faced tedious manual processes – managing spreadsheets, inputting hundreds of product attributes, and consolidating data from various sources. These inefficiencies delayed time-to-market, introduced errors, and hindered performance on a competitive platform. 

With Akeneo’s integration for eBay Marketplace, brands and distributors can now overcome these obstacles. Akeneo Activation streamlines the entire process, enabling businesses to automatically map eBay’s product requirements, transform enriched data from Akeneo PIM, and syndicate accurate, compliant product listings directly to eBay. This seamless workflow eliminates the need for manual tasks, ensuring faster time-to-market and error-free listings that meet eBay’s standards. By leveraging Akeneo Activation, businesses can optimize their presence on eBay Marketplace, connecting with a global audience and driving growth like never before. 

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4. Wayfair

Wayfair is a leading online retailer for home goods, offering a range of furniture, décor, and appliances tailored to diverse styles and budgets. Known for its user-friendly platform and seamless delivery, Wayfair caters to everyone, from young professionals furnishing their first homes to families and design enthusiasts seeking stylish solutions. Its ability to provide a personalized shopping experience depends heavily on managing extensive product data efficiently. 

Akeneo Activation ensures enriched product data from Akeneo PIM aligns perfectly with Wayfair’s specifications. By connecting directly to Wayfair, you can upload accurate, detailed product descriptions, images, and dimensions optimized for the platform’s search and filtering features, leading to better product discoverability and higher conversion rates.

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5. Zappos

Zappos is a leading online retailer known for its extensive range of shoes, clothing, and accessories, together with its dedication to exceptional customer service. Whether you’re searching for the latest fashion trends, athletic gear, or everyday essentials, Zappos offers something for everyone. 

Akeneo Activation helps you meet Zappos’ specific content requirements, such as detailed material descriptions, fit and sizing guides, and high-quality images. By seamlessly connecting your product data, you can provide the compelling, complete information that Zappos shoppers expect, ensuring a seamless and satisfying customer experience.

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6. Grainger

Grainger is a trusted leader in the industrial supply industry, offering a catalog of products to support businesses of all sizes. From safety equipment to tools and facility maintenance supplies, Grainger serves a wide range of industries with reliable, high-quality solutions.

Akeneo Activation enables brands to deliver complete, accurate, and compliant product data tailored to Grainger’s channel requirements. With streamlined updates and enriched content, your products will stand out and provide the essential technical details needed to drive B2B purchasing decisions.

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Accurate product data is the backbone of effective operations, customer satisfaction, and business growth, and yet in today’s data-driven world, maintaining product data accuracy is more challenging than ever before. From powering seamless omnichannel experiences to meeting the expectations of global markets, businesses must ensure their product information is reliable, up-to-date, and consistent. But how can companies achieve this, especially when most are drowning in unorganized, scattered data?

Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of ten actionable tips to improve product data accuracy. From creating a centralized source of truth and leveraging AI to collaborating across the value chain and focusing on omnichannel consistency, these strategies will help you build a foundation for precise, trustworthy product information.

10 Tips For Better Product Data Accuracy

1. Create a single centralized source of truth for product data

Creating a centralized record for product data significantly improves accuracy by addressing common challenges associated with decentralized systems. By eliminating duplicate and conflicting data and serving as the single source of truth for all stakeholders, this centralization streamlines data entry and maintenance and reduces the risk of manual errors caused by repetitive handling across multiple systems. Additionally, a centralized record supports data validation and governance by incorporating automated rules and workflows, which catch errors or incomplete data before it is published.

A centralized record also speeds up error resolution, as inaccuracies can be quickly located and corrected, minimizing disruptions to customers and operations. By centralizing product data, businesses not only improve accuracy but also enhance efficiency, enable better decision-making, and create a superior customer experience.

2. Regularly audit and cleanse data

Even with a centralized system, product data can become outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent over time. Regular data audits are essential to identify and address inaccuracies. By periodically reviewing your product information, you can:

• Detect missing or incomplete fields
• Correct outdated specifications
• Remove duplicate entries
• Regularly check for brand consistency

Automating parts of this process can further streamline efforts, allowing you to maintain high data quality without a constant manual workload.

3. Leverage AI to monitor gaps and inconsistences

Machine learning algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) enable businesses to analyze, detect, and address data quality issues at scale by quickly scanning large volumes of product data and identifying missing attributes, such as incomplete descriptions, absent specifications, or inconsistent formatting. Advanced AI systems can compare data entries against predefined standards or templates and flag discrepancies, ensuring that product information adheres to brand and regulatory requirements. 

AI solutions can also cross-reference data across multiple systems or external sources to detect conflicts, such as mismatched pricing, inconsistent units of measurement, or outdated product details. Predictive analytics powered by AI can anticipate future gaps by identifying trends or patterns in incomplete data, enabling businesses to take proactive measures to enhance data accuracy.

By integrating AI into their data monitoring processes, businesses can maintain high-quality product information, reduce manual workloads, and improve overall operational efficiency and customer trust.

Behind every great product experience is a story of transformation. At Akeneo, we’re unwrapping inspiring tales of success from businesses across industries who have partnered with us to tackle their product data challenges. From retailers scaling their data strategies to boost engagement to B2B manufacturers ensuring complete and consistent product data, these stories highlight the real-world results customers achieve with Akeneo Product Cloud.

In honor of the ninth day of PXMas, we’re showcasing nine incredible journeys where Akeneo played a pivotal role in driving success for global brands, manufacturers, and retailers. Whether you’re looking to enhance your product data strategy or solve complex challenges, these stories demonstrate how Akeneo empowers businesses to innovate, differentiate, and delight their customers. Let’s transform your product experiences—together!

9 Stories of Customer Success with Akeneo

1. Drawer

Drawer, a brand known for its stylish and high-quality furniture and home décor, curates collections that seamlessly blend design and functionality. 

However, as their catalog grew, manual processes for managing product data created inefficiencies and delays, hampering their ability to deliver a seamless customer experience. 

Akeneo Product Cloud provided the solution by streamlining workflows and centralizing data management. This transformation not only simplified supplier collaboration but also ensured that Drawer could deliver enriched, accurate product information across all channels. 

The results? Faster product launches and an enhanced customer experience, powered by engaging and reliable product data. 

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2. Bensons for Beds

Bensons for Beds, the UK’s leading retailer of beds and mattresses, offers dreamy options both in-store and online. 

However, outdated systems created inefficiencies and inconsistencies, delaying product launches and impacting customer satisfaction. 

Akeneo Product Cloud stepped in to centralize their data, streamline workflows, and enable consistent, engaging shopping experiences across all channels. 

The results were transformative: a 20% faster time-to-market for new products, improved product data consistency, enhanced customer engagement, and greater operational efficiency. 

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3. Peavey Industries

Peavey Industries, a Canadian retailer specializing in agricultural, hardware, and home improvement products, faced significant challenges managing their growing catalog. Manual processes caused delays and led to inconsistent product data. 

Akeneo provided the solution by centralizing their data and automating workflows, ensuring accurate and consistent information across all channels. According to Shaun Guthrie, Head of Technology & eCommerce at Peavey, the changes had a transformative impact on productivity and business results. 

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If you thought the circular economy only involved retailers and consumers, you thought wrong. 

Before a product grazes against a customer’s fingers or lays on a shop’s shelf, it’s first given the touch of life by a manufacturer. And at this critical conception point long before the product even enters the marketplace, more than 80% of its environmental impact is determined.

The manufacturing sector is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU, following only behind the energy sector. Besides GHG emissions, the manufacturing sector is also accountable for being one of the primary consumers of energy from fossil fuels. 

While manufacturers aren’t solely responsible for a product’s lifecycle, they play a leading role in shaping its sustainability. As such, they are uniquely positioned to drive change. Instead of perpetuating a harmful cycle, manufacturers can break the mold, adopt greener practices, and lead the fight against environmental harm.

Here are seven ways manufacturers can embrace the circular economy and transform their impact:

7 Ways Manufacturers Can Embrace the Circular Economy

1. Reduce consumption of finite resources

This is perhaps the easiest step towards a sustainable path — avoiding unnecessary purchases and investments. You see, the greenest resource is one that’s never been consumed. This is simply executed by manufacturers refusing to buy items they have no use for, saving money for other important aspects of the company. They can also rethink ownership and usage of machines to maximize their productivity, and redesign products to consume fewer — and greener — resources during their manufacture and use. 

Optimizing global supply networks helps manufacturers integrate sustainability into their workflows, enhancing operational efficiency. Raw material extractions are responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions related to EU consumption. Manufacturers can significantly reduce carbon output and minimize ecological harm by considering the source of raw materials, the processes involved in their extraction, and the environmental impact of transporting them.

Another way to cut back on finite resource usage is by electrifying industrial operations. Investing in innovative technologies enhances efficiency, and where feasible, switching to renewable energy sources is cost-effective and lowers greenhouse emissions!

2. Adopt reverse logistics systems

Manufacturers can create efficient systems to retrieve used products for refurbishment, remanufacturing, or recycling. Creating a reverse logistics system helps manufacturers execute this as it transfers products from the end consumer to the manufacturer who initially supplied them, reducing production costs and increasing sales. According to Gartner’s report, businesses that effectively manage reverse logistics in their supply chain can cut costs by up to 50%.

Partnering with logistics providers or setting up in-house collection programs can ensure end-of-life products return to the manufacturer. Third-party logistics providers specialize in reverse logistics, putting them in charge of the flow of products from consumers back to manufacturers. With in-house collection programs, manufacturers can also directly manage the return of end-of-life products, ensuring effective retrieval and processing. 

3. Reuse manufactured goods again and again. 

Manufacturers should highly focus on the process of a product’s conception, as smarter designs encourage longer-term use and reuse, helping reduce consumption. A decision of a product during its design critically determines its environmental impact, making the development stage heavily important.  

Manufacturers can try shifting to an equipment-as-a-service (EaaS) business model, which involves businesses renting equipment through a subscription service instead of purchasing brand-new equipment to maximize the utilization of high-demand machinery.

4. Repair broken products instead of replacing them. 

One way manufacturers can embrace the circular economy is by designing products that are easy to repair, with user-serviceable components and readily available spare parts. By letting customers fix their products, a second life is given to them, keeping products and materials in use longer and spending less time in landfills.

Manufacturers can also support “right to repair” legislation, which requires spare parts and refurbishment information be available for every product, in key markets in which they operate, or can explore the chance of connecting with programs like Repair Circle, which provides training and material support for repairing goods in local communities. 

In today’s world, you can’t hear the word “Amazon” without bringing to mind the eCommerce giant rather than the rainforest. Appearing in over 50 countries, Amazon is clearly in demand —  74% of Amazon consumers use the online site to find new products, and US customers are buying 8,600 items per minute. 

And why wouldn’t it be? The notorious marketplace displays brands with visually appealing content, attracting customers to browse through hundreds of goods before selecting which one they want to show up on their doorstep in 48 hours. Plus, by offering incentives like a premium subscription and seamless returns, people are more than enticed to shop through the enterprise’s jungle of sellers.  

While Amazon is undeniably great for increasing sales and entering international markets, it’s not a journey you can easily take without a map. When selling your products on Amazon, there are two primary business models to choose from which will help guide your way: Amazon Seller and Amazon Vendor.

What does it mean to be an Amazon Vendor (1P)?

Being an Amazon Vendor essentially means that you are a wholesale supplier, selling your products to Amazon. This means that you receive a purchase order from Amazon, fulfill the purchase order, and sell your products directly to Amazon. In rare cases, direct fulfillment is an option even as a vendor, however it requires robust warehousing and fulfillment capabilities. It’s important to note that you must be invited by Amazon to be a Vendor.

Most often first-party vendors are brands that may sell D2C on other channels, but in this instance Amazon is now the retailer that is selling your product. This means that you set the list price, but the selling price is determined by the market. Each year when you negotiate your contract with Amazon you negotiate your margins directly.

Although Amazon is now the owner and seller of the products, you are still responsible for setting up the item and for providing some of the product content. Amazon will make some optimizations on the product detail page for you, but you must also make efforts to ensure that your product record is complete and accurate, to ensure that your products sell and Amazon wants to place more purchase orders with you. You also still have the ability to advertise and run promotions for your products so they sell faster and Amazon continues to buy more from you.

Vendor Central

First-party Amazon vendors manage their relationship with Amazon through Vendor Central. That’s where you can make updates to product listings, view purchase orders, and access available reporting.

What are the benefits of being a first-party Amazon vendor?

Selling as a first-party vendor on Amazon tends to be easier than third-party selling. This is because it works like a wholesaling model. By fulfilling Amazon’s purchase order, you can take advantage of a much more hands-off approach, while still taking advantage of the volume of consumers shopping on Amazon.

Furthermore, you can take advantage of the trust that comes with being an Amazon Vendor. This allows you to take advantage of Amazon’s reputation for fast shipping and easy returns. When potential customers see ‘Sold By Amazon’ you get the added value of perceived trust from consumers.

What are some of the downsides of being an Amazon Vendor?

When you sell your products directly to Amazon you no longer have control over your products. One aspect of that includes pricing. Since Amazon determines the price of your product depending on the market, and you are acting as a wholesale supplier for Amazon, you may have lower profit margins. Typically, on an annual basis, you negotiate your margins directly with Amazon. This can mean there is less predictability than a 3P Seller that pays a flat percentage fee.

While Amazon Vendors have access to more marketing and advertising options which can be a bonus, they are still responsible for any additional costs associated with them. For example, in order to move product quickly, an Amazon Vendor may wish to run Sponsored Product Advertisements on Amazon which they pay for on a cost-per-click basis. The Vendor is responsible for all fees and managing all campaigns to market and advertise the products.

The circular economy offers businesses the opportunity to align sustainability with profitability, creating value for both the planet and the bottom line. By minimizing waste, maximizing resource efficiency, and extending product lifecycles, businesses can achieve significant environmental and financial benefits, such as reducing material costs, cutting emissions, and fostering innovation in product design and manufacturing processes.

 Beyond the planet’s well-being, embracing circular practices enhances brand reputation and drives customer loyalty. It’s a win-win!

Integrating Circular Economy Principles with Akeneo

Akeneo empowers businesses to embed circular economy practices at every stage of their operations:

• Product lifecycle management: Akeneo can be used to manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from design and development to end-of-life. By tracking product attributes, materials, and components, businesses can easily adopt circular practices such as recycling and reuse.
• Driving sustainable practices: Akeneo can support sustainable practices by enabling companies to:
  • Design for disassembly: Track and document product components for easy disassembly, repair, and reuse.
  • Opt for sustainable materials: Manage product data to ensure environmentally friendly materials are prioritized in production.
  • Minimize waste: Streamline product design and production processes to reduce resource waste.

Souris Mini: A Circular Economy in Action

A concrete example of circular economy success comes from Souris Mini, a Canadian fashion company specializing in children’s clothing. Recognizing the demand for sustainable shopping options amidst rising inflation, Souris Mini launched a dedicated eCommerce platform for second-hand clothes from their brand.

This initiative allows parents to buy and sell pre-loved Souris Mini clothing, giving garments a second life while reducing environmental impact. Sellers receive payments in the form of Souris Mini gift cards, with a 10% bonus added by the brand.

By fostering a sense of social solidarity and prioritizing environmental care, Souris Mini demonstrates how circular economy principles can enhance a brand’s values and operations.

Optimizing Product Data for Sustainability

Centralized and high-quality product information is the backbone of sustainability initiatives. Akeneo helps businesses optimize data for better decision-making through:

• Ensuring accurate and comprehensive data: High-quality product data is essential for sustainability efforts. Akeneo can help ensure that product information is accurate, complete, and consistent across various channels.
• Tracking material sources: Akeneo can be used to track the sources of materials used in products, enabling companies to identify and reduce the use of harmful substances.
• Supporting environmental impact assessments: By collecting and analyzing product data, companies can assess the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle, including carbon footprint, water usage, and waste generation.
• Providing end-of-life solutions: Akeneo supports the management of data related to recycling, reuse, and refurbishment, making it easier to extend product life.

At Akeneo, we believe that our teammates are the driving force behind everything we do and who we aim to be as a company. Our success is built on the collective talent, dedication, and innovation of our people, and that’s why we’ve made it a priority to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

For the fourth day of the 12 days of PXMas, we’re sharing four inspiring stories from Akeneo employees who embody what it means to deliver world-class product experiences. From overcoming challenges to achieving career milestones, these stories showcase the dedication and creativity that make Akeneo a truly special place to work.

Let’s celebrate their achievements and reflect on how their journeys continue to shape our mission to help businesses thrive through better product information.

1. Creating a Culture That Cares

At Akeneo, we strive to ensure everyone feels comfortable, whether they’re in the office, working from home, or connecting across our global organization. Diligent benevolence, humble hunger, responsible pioneers, and inclusive community are the pillars of our culture, defining how we work together and support one another every day.

We also believe that a healthy work-life balance is the foundation for long-term success. By fostering an environment where people can balance their personal and professional lives, we help our teammates stay engaged, motivated, and fulfilled.

Hear from Emily Stead, an account executive based in our UK office, as she shares why she loves being part of the Akeneo team.

As we continue on our 12 Days of PXMas, today is all about threes; three awards, three reasons to celebrate, and three reminders of why Akeneo is a leader in product experience management. 

This year, we’ve been honored with prestigious recognition for our innovative solutions, customer-first approach, and commitment to excellence. With a continuous drive to push the boundaries of what is possible, the team here at Akeneo stands to remain the global leader in PIM and product experience in 2025 and beyond.

These awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and collaboration of our incredible team and community. Let’s dive into the highlights of Akeneo’s award-winning achievements and the impact they’ve made in shaping exceptional product experiences!

1. 2024 Global Technology Awards

Akeneo’s recent win at the 2024 Global Technology Awards, October 2nd, honored us as “Best of Category” in retail technology for 2024.

Recognized for our industry-leading Akeneo Product Cloud solution and innovation in product data and information management, we’re proud of our team’s hard work and dedication to propel industries towards a brighter future. Our product’s native AI capabilities further demonstrate its best-in-class capabilities which is proving to be a critical asset in this transformation.

The Global Technology Awards recognize companies that focus on innovation, creativity, and excellence and honor the most exceptional technology solutions and services. The retail technology category judged entrants on multiple criteria, including user experience, innovation, scalability, efficiency, and return on investment (ROI). 

2. 2024 Globee® Awards

At the 2024 Globee® Awards this summer, Akeneo earned the Gold award for Achievement in Strategic Growth at the 9th Annual Globee® Awards for American Business.

The award recognizes Akeneo’s outstanding growth in North America, marked by a headquarters expansion of more than 100% and a significant increase of our client base. Since driving our expansion in America has been a key goal, we’re honored to have had our strategic approach to growth recognized and reinforced our position as a global leader in product information management (PIM) and product experience (PX).

The Globee® Awards also recognize outstanding achievements across various industries, highlighting companies that push the boundaries of what is possible. The awards honor companies that demonstrate business excellence through remarkable growth, innovation and leadership.

3. 2024 TITAN Business Awards

Back in spring of this year, Akeneo proudly earned the gold TITAN Business Award for its Achievement in Growth in the 2024 Achievement category, again highlighting our exceptional expansion in North America.

This growth was driven by strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Unifai, new capabilities and features for Akeneo Product Cloud and the launch of innovative products like Akeneo Activation.

Hosted by the International Awards Associate (IAA), The TITAN Business Awards is an international platform that honors people and companies around the world, from startups, to small to medium-sized businesses and global enterprises that set high standards for business performance.

12 Days of PXMas

As we reflect on these incredible achievements, it’s clear that 2024 has been a banner year for us here at Akeneo. These awards are reminders of the passion and dedication driving our mission to deliver exceptional product experiences. 

We couldn’t have done it without the support of our customers, partners, and team members who share our vision for innovation and excellence. Here’s to even more success in the coming year, and to celebrating the power of product experiences that make a difference. Cheers to PXcellence, and happy PXMas!

How did we discover new brands before Google? How did we purchase and compare products before reading user reviews?

It’s simple; we would walk into a brick-and-mortar store (likely of a major retailer), scan the shelves for what we’re looking for, briefly compare the 2-3 options they may have, and make a purchase.

While many shoppers still prefer this in-person experience, both the pandemic and the Olympic-sized advances that technology has made over the past decade mean that the eCommerce sector has grown at a breakneck speed. The global eCommerce market currently sits at around $6 trillion today and is projected to hit $8 trillion by 2028.

So the question becomes: if some shoppers no longer have to go to brick-and-mortar stores to peruse a physical shelf, how do they discover and purchase products? That’s where the digital shelf comes in.

What is the Digital Shelf?

The digital shelf is the virtual experience of browsing an in-store shelf. It’s the combination of digital touchpoints that a shopper may encounter as they’re discovering, researching, and purchasing products, including but not limited to:

• Your own eCommerce site
• Third-party retail sites, such as Amazon or Walmart
• Social media apps, such as Instagram or Tik Tok
• Search engines
• Mobile apps
• Third-party review sites, such as G2 or Yelp
• Voice search technology, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home
• Evolving innovations, such as AR/VR shopping experiences

The digital shelf is wide and all-encompassing, mostly because it’s becoming more and more impossible to predict where your shoppers are going to come in contact with your brand. With new digital-only sellers and dropshippers emerging almost in a constant stream, it’s becoming increasingly important for brands to implement a proactive, omnichannel strategy in order to stand out on the digital shelf.

Taking a reactive, channel-by-channel approach means that your organization will be scrambling to keep up with new and evolving channels as they come up, instead of focusing on the overall experience that you provide to your customers. With the right people, processes, and technology in place, you can proactively focus providing compelling, consistent, and cohesive product experiences across every channel, whether it exists yet or not.

Why is the Digital Shelf Important?

The old tactics used to win a customer’s attention on the physical shelf don’t always translate to the digital shelf. In a brick-and-mortar store, shoppers are able to touch, smell, or listen to the products, inspect the packaging, and physically compare options.

While this exact experience isn’t always replicable on the digital shelf, the virtual retail landscape offers some enticing advantages for brands to provide compelling experiences for their customers where they’re able to compare hundreds of competitors and retailers at once, utilize visual assets like photos and 3D renderings to better understand the product, and sift through thousands of real-user reviews without ever leaving their home.

Consumers today are omnichannel by nature; even if they decide to go to a physical location and purchase a product in-person, chances are they’ve already done some research online or come across your brand (or a competitor’s) at some point in their digital journey.

As each shopper has a personalized purchasing journey it’s becoming harder and harder to predict where they’re headed, but nowadays it almost always includes at least one digital experience. This is particularly true for CPG manufacturers, as 85% of shoppers say that they plan to maintain or increase their online shopping behaviors in the post-pandemic future. Optimizing your digital shelf presence is no longer a preference, but a need.

However, this is often easier said than done; activating your product story across every touchpoint on the digital shelf requires both an omnichannel product activation strategy and a strong foundation of product information. 

How Do You Win the Digital Shelf?

Winning the digital shelf is all about creating consistent, compelling, and cohesive experiences across all the digital touchpoints where a shopper may encounter you. That means creating omnichannel product experiences that fit the needs of both channels that you own and channels that you don’t.

Let’s take a look at a few real-life examples, starting with cosmetics company The Ordinary, which offers a range of makeup, hair, and skin products. The Ordinary’s own eCommerce site is well-designed and easy to navigate, providing plenty of information about ingredients, usage, stock availability, shipping estimates, and other shoppers’ experiences to equip the buyer with everything they need to make a purchase decision. They even provide a step-by-step guide of how to use their product in conjunction with the rest of their products, creating a personalized skin or hair regimen based on the product you’re looking at.

This is a wonderful shopping experience – and likely leads to many won purchases. But where The Ordinary’s digital presence starts to fall apart is through third-party retailers. On global beauty retailer, Sephora’s website,The Ordinary offers some product information, visual assets, and usage instructions, but doesn’t provide nearly the same level of personalization, context, or user-friendliness as their own eCommerce site. If I stumble across their product on Sephora, I may need to do some more research or look at some competitor’s before I make my decision.

Lastly, let’s take a look at The Ordinary’s presence on online retailer behemoth, Amazon. Blurry photos, keyword-crammed product titles, and a significant lack of product information all add up to a less-than-stellar customer experience if I’m searching for The Ordinary on the Internet’s largest digital retailer. There are no videos, no mention of the cruelty-free and vegan aspect of their organization, and very limited instructions and directions for the product, not to mention that it is listed at a significantly higher price than on their own eCommerce site or Sephora. As a consumer, this is a recipe for an abandoned cart and a switch to a competitor with a stronger Amazon presence.

On the flip side, let’s take a look at a hair and skincare brand that has mastered the art of omnichannel experiences, NUXE Paris. Starting with their own eCommerce site, NUXE offers photos, videos, in-depth ingredient lists, usage tips, suggested companion products, and a slew of verified user reviews. Everything I need as a consumer to make an informed purchase decision.

Unlike The Ordinary, NUXE Paris offers similarly engaging and compelling experiences even on third-party retailer sites. Even though they don’t own the channel, they still offer up appealing visual assets, application instructions, recommended supplemental products, up-to-date shipping and stock information, ingredients, and user reviews. They’re even able to communicate their brand values, by highlighting their commitment to sustainability and creating natural products.

They’re even able to communicate their brand values, by highlighting their commitment to sustainability and creating natural products.

And what about on Amazon? You guessed it, NUXE provides an equally compelling experience on that digital touchpoint as well. They offer interesting visual assets, including photos, videos, and illustrated demonstrations for application, as well as important product data, stock information, and details about the brand’s emphasis on natural ingredients. A shopper would have everything they need right here in order to make a decision, and wouldn’t have to go hunting for the information they’re looking for, even on a third-party channel that NUXE doesn’t own.

Now, let’s be clear: while these examples focus on online touchpoints, winning the digital shelf doesn’t mean abandoning or ignoring your in-person channels as well. Omnichannel truly does mean omnichannel, and includes digital, hybrid, and traditional shopping experiences. With options such as Reserve Online, Pickup In-Store (ROPIS), Buy Online, Pickup In-Store (BOPIS), and Buy Online, Return In-Store (BORIS) becoming increasingly popular, creating consistent and compelling in-store experiences are still just as important today as their digital counterparts.

Midwest farm supply chain company, Rural Kings, was able to accelerate revenue growth and restore customer confidence by implementing a Buy Online, Pick-Up in Store (BOPIS) method that was previously unavailable to their customer base. This came with a double-dose of benefits as both their eCommerce sales and retail foot traffic saw a significant bump.

This omnichannel utopia on the digital shelf cannot be achieved without the proper infrastructure and technology in place to support it. This kind of scalability, flexibility, and adaptability can only be found in a Product Cloud.

What is a Product Cloud?

A Product Cloud is a composable SaaS-based solution for orchestrating, activating, and optimizing the entire product story across all owned and unowned channels. It enables brands and organizations to create exceptional omnichannel product experiences, across the digital shelf and beyond. 

The modular nature of a Product Cloud means that your team is able to personalize your tech stack to fit the exact needs of your organization. This best-of-breed approach gives the Product Cloud the scalability and flexibility it needs to support ever-evolving shopping trends and touchpoints.

Plus, Product Clouds should be able to support the entire product record, including both hot (dynamic) and cold (static) data. From pricing to digital assets to size dimensions to user-generated content, the Product Cloud acts as a single system of record to house all of this product data that is scattered across different technologies.

With a central repository of product information, activating your product story across the digital shelf becomes that much more simple. A Product Cloud enables your team to create compelling and consistent product experiences across any owned or unowned sales and marketing channels, markets, and product catalog segments, and prepares you to be successful on the channels and touchpoints of tomorrow.

The last defining feature of a Product Cloud is its usability; any number of users, managers, administrators, developers, or integrators should be able to hop in at any point and understand what product information lives where, how to access it, and how to syndicate it to the right channels in the right way. 

Technologies that require extensive training, or rely on individual employees who know how to operate the system, simply aren’t scalable and can’t support the sort of omnichannel strategy needed in order to win on the digital shelf. 

Utilizing Product Cloud technology to support omnichannel product activation means higher conversion rates, increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, improved employee productivity, smoother internal communication and processes, and a faster time-to-market for new products and channels.

The digital shelf is considerably more expansive than the physical shelf in a brick-and-mortar store, and with 66% of shoppers saying they would abandon a purchase after a negative digital interaction, it’s clear to see that even just one bad experience on any of these digital touchpoints can have lasting effects. 

The answer to winning on the digital shelf lies in your brand’s omnichannel product activation strategy. But your digital efforts will never get off the ground if you try to solve for only syndication or syndication first or syndication in a silo. The digital experience is different than the in-person experience, and you need to have the right technology and processes in place in order to support compelling and consistent product experiences across the digital shelf.

If your team is ready to activate your brand’s story across all the digital touchpoints of today and tomorrow, reach out to us today to see how Akeneo Product Cloud can support your omnichannel growth strategy.