Operating an Amazon-focused business (as a seller, brand owner, service provider, or Amazon-integrated e-commerce operator) requires compliance across product regulations, consumer protection, data/privacy, payments, marketing, taxes, and Amazon’s own policies. In a business plan, clearly state which Amazon programs you will use (Seller Central, Vendor Central, FBA, FBM, Amazon Advertising, Brand Registry) because each has distinct contractual and compliance implications.

Entity setup and core contracts
Confirm the legal entity and jurisdiction(s) of operation, including registrations to sell in each target marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk). Maintain signed agreements and records for:
Seller/Vendor terms (including acceptable use, returns, and dispute processes)
FBA terms (inventory handling, removals/disposals, labeling, dangerous goods requirements)
Amazon Advertising terms (claims substantiation, prohibited content, trademarks, targeting restrictions)
Brand Registry requirements (trademark ownership/authorization, brand representative permissions)

Product safety, compliance, and labeling
Your plan should specify how you will confirm that each SKU complies with applicable laws in every country where it is sold and with Amazon category requirements. Include a documented process for:
Product classification by category and risk (children’s products, cosmetics, supplements, medical devices, electronics, PPE, batteries, chemicals, hazardous materials)
Required certifications and test reports (kept on file and ready for Amazon “compliance document” requests)
Accurate labeling (ingredients, warnings, age grading, country of origin, batch/lot codes when relevant, responsible person/importer details where required)
Safety documentation and traceability (supplier declarations, bills of materials, serial/lot tracking, recall readiness)
Restricted products and gated categories (ensure approvals before listing; do not ship inventory to FBA before eligibility is confirmed)

Import/export and customs
If you import goods for sale on Amazon, define who is the Importer of Record and how you will manage customs compliance. Address:
HS code assignment and duty/VAT/GST treatment
Country-of-origin determination and documentation
Product-specific import restrictions (e.g., food, supplements, cosmetics, radio equipment, batteries)
Broker/forwarder selection, incoterms, and insurance coverage
For cross-border sales, clarify whether you will use Amazon programs that affect tax and logistics responsibilities and how you will meet local “economic operator” requirements where applicable

Intellectual property (IP) and brand protection
Amazon listings are highly sensitive to IP claims. Include how you will prevent and respond to infringement issues:
Trademark strategy (registration, classes, geographic coverage) and Brand Registry enrollment where feasible
Copyright and design/patent considerations for product and packaging
Content ownership (images, videos, A+ content, manuals) with written licenses from creators/photographers
Controls to avoid infringing keywords, competitor marks, or protected product designs
Process for handling infringement claims, takedowns, counter-notices, and “IP complaints” that can lead to account suspension

Consumer protection, returns, and product liability
Your plan should outline customer-facing policies aligned with local consumer laws and Amazon’s return standards. Include:
Clear product descriptions and accurate claims (avoid unsubstantiated performance, health, or comparative claims)
Return/refund handling (FBM and FBA differences) and customer communications procedures
Complaint handling, warranty terms where applicable, and escalation paths
Product liability risk management: supplier indemnities, quality audits, incident logging, and recall procedures
Insurance coverage appropriate to your products and sales channels (including any Amazon-required coverage thresholds or endorsements where applicable)

Data protection and privacy
If you access customer data (especially for FBM fulfillment, customer service, or off-Amazon marketing), document compliance with applicable privacy laws and Amazon policies. Cover:
Data minimization: only collect and store what is necessary to fulfill orders and provide support
Secure storage and access controls for order/customer information
Retention and deletion schedule aligned with legal requirements and Amazon rules
Restrictions on contacting customers for marketing outside Amazon; use permitted channels and obtain required consents
If you run a direct-to-consumer site in parallel, ensure cookie/tracking and email/SMS marketing compliance in each target region

Payments, anti-fraud, and financial compliance
Amazon disbursements and account verification requirements should be treated as a compliance area. Address:
KYC/identity verification readiness (beneficial ownership records, bank account documentation, proof of address, business registration)
Chargeback and fraud monitoring for any off-Amazon sales you operate
Accounting controls: reconciliation of Amazon settlements, fees, refunds, and chargebacks
If using lending or payment services, confirm adherence to their terms and any applicable financial regulations

Taxation (sales tax, VAT, GST, income tax)
State how you will manage indirect taxes and reporting across marketplaces:
Determine tax obligations triggered by inventory location (especially FBA), economic nexus/thresholds, and cross-border sales
Marketplace facilitator rules may shift collection/remittance responsibilities, but do not eliminate registration/filing obligations in all cases
Process for issuing compliant invoices/receipts where required and configuring tax settings in Amazon
Regular reviews with a qualified tax advisor as you expand into new regions or storage locations

Environmental and sustainability regulations
Many product categories and packaging are subject to environmental rules that vary by country. Include how you will comply with:
Packaging waste/EPR obligations (registration, reporting, recycling fees) where applicable
Battery, electronics, and waste regulations (e.g., take-back, labeling, producer responsibility) for relevant products
Claims compliance for “eco,” “recyclable,” “biodegradable,” and sustainability marketing statements (ensure supportable documentation)

Amazon policy compliance and account health governance
Amazon policy breaches can be business-ending even if local laws are met. Describe your internal governance for:
Listing accuracy (titles, bullets, attributes, variations) and prohibited claims
Review and rating integrity (no incentivized reviews, no review manipulation, compliant follow-up messages)
Pricing and promotions rules (avoid deceptive reference pricing, coupon misuse, or prohibited bundling practices)
Supply chain authenticity controls (invoices, authorization letters, chain-of-custody) to prevent “inauthentic” claims
Account Health monitoring (Order Defect Rate/late shipment/cancellation for FBM; IPI/storage limits and dangerous goods compliance for FBA)
A documented Plan of Action template for suspensions: root cause analysis, corrective actions, preventive controls

Practical compliance documentation to maintain
Maintain a centralized, audit-ready file system (per SKU and per marketplace) with:
Supplier agreements, purchase orders, invoices, and authenticity documentation
Test reports, certificates, SDS (if applicable), and labeling proofs
Trademark registrations/licenses and content usage rights
Insurance certificates and product liability procedures
Tax registrations and filings, customs entries, and shipping records
Standard operating procedures for quality checks, listing creation, customer service, and incident management

Ongoing monitoring
Regulations and Amazon policies change frequently. Assign ownership for compliance updates, schedule periodic reviews (e.g., quarterly), and include a trigger-based review process when launching new SKUs, entering new countries, changing suppliers, or switching fulfillment models.

Financing an Amazon-focused business depends on your selling model (private label, wholesale, retail arbitrage, brand owner), fulfillment approach (FBA vs FBM), and the working-capital cycle created by inventory lead times, inbound shipping, Amazon fees, and payout timing. A strong financing section should map each funding source to a specific use (inventory buys, product development, launch spend, freight, tooling, compliance testing, cash buffer for returns and chargebacks) and show how repayment aligns with your cash conversion cycle.

Bootstrapping and reinvested cash flow
Best for: early validation, small SKU count, conservative launches.
How it fits Amazon: start with a limited assortment, reorder only after sales velocity is proven, negotiate small MOQs, and use Amazon disbursements to fund reorders.
What to include in the plan: initial personal capital amount, purchasing cadence, reorder triggers, and a policy for maintaining a minimum cash reserve to handle PPC spikes, returns, and shipment delays.

Friends and family / founder loans
Best for: pre-revenue or early traction when formal lenders require longer operating history.
How it fits Amazon: useful for first production run, trademark/brand assets, packaging and labeling, and initial freight.
What to include: simple terms (interest, repayment schedule, maturity), written agreements, and how you will prioritize repayments without starving inventory replenishment.

Bank term loans and SBA-style small business loans
Best for: established sellers with clean financials and predictable margins.
How it fits Amazon: funding for larger inventory positions, equipment (labelers, warehouse racking for FBM), or expansion into additional marketplaces/channels to diversify risk.
What to include: lender-required documentation (business tax returns, financial statements, owner guarantees), collateral expectations, covenants, and how you will avoid using long-term debt to fund short-lived ad spend.

Business lines of credit (LOC)
Best for: smoothing inventory purchases between Amazon disbursements and supplier payment terms.
How it fits Amazon: draw to pay deposits, freight, or bridge the gap until payouts clear; repay as inventory sells through.
What to include: target credit limit, expected utilization rate, interest-only vs amortizing dynamics, and a borrowing policy tied to minimum contribution margin after Amazon fees, storage, and ad costs.

Inventory financing and purchase order (PO) financing
Best for: larger orders with confirmed demand signals and longer lead times.
How it fits Amazon: helps fund supplier payments for manufacturing runs; PO financing may apply if you have qualifying purchase orders (often more common in B2B than Amazon DTC).
What to include: eligibility requirements (supplier vetting, product category restrictions, sales history), advance rates and fees (described qualitatively), inspection/quality control steps, and how lender controls (e.g., paying suppliers directly) impact operations.

Revenue-based financing and marketplace cash advances
Best for: businesses with consistent Amazon sales velocity needing flexible funding.
How it fits Amazon: repayment is typically tied to a percentage of sales or Amazon disbursements; useful for reorders and short-cycle growth initiatives.
What to include: repayment mechanism, effective cost range discussion without quoting specific rates, sensitivity analysis if sales dip, and a rule for using this only when unit economics remain positive after financing costs.

Credit cards
Best for: short-term working capital, small tooling, samples, software, and freight deposits; also useful for rewards/float if paid down reliably.
How it fits Amazon: can bridge timing gaps, but high balances can erase margins quickly.
What to include: credit limits, payment discipline, which expenses are allowed (e.g., never fund ongoing PPC losses), and fraud/chargeback controls. If importing, note that some suppliers add fees for card payments and that wire transfers may be cheaper.

Supplier terms and trade credit
Best for: scaling once trust is established with manufacturers, distributors, and freight partners.
How it fits Amazon: negotiate deposits (e.g., split payments), extended terms after a few successful cycles, or better pricing for larger MOQs.
What to include: current vs target payment terms, how improved terms reduce cash tied in inventory, and operational commitments (forecasting, reordering schedules, QC standards) to maintain supplier confidence.

Equity financing (angel investors, seed rounds)
Best for: high-growth brands with defensible differentiation (IP, product innovation, strong brand assets, multi-channel strategy).
How it fits Amazon: can fund brand-building, larger SKU expansion, international launches, and the team required for operations, creative, and supply chain.
What to include: valuation approach (qualitative), dilution expectations, investor use-of-funds, governance, and how you reduce platform concentration risk (e.g., DTC site, email list, retail, other marketplaces).

Strategic investors and partners
Best for: brands where a manufacturer, distributor, or complementary brand can add supply chain advantages or channel access.
How it fits Amazon: potential improvements in COGS, priority production slots, co-marketing, or access to compliant testing and packaging resources.
What to include: partner contributions beyond capital, exclusivity terms, how you protect brand control and pricing strategy, and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Grants and non-dilutive programs
Best for: product innovation, sustainability initiatives, or local economic development programs depending on geography.
How it fits Amazon: less common for typical reselling models, but possible for manufacturing, R&D, or job creation.
What to include: eligibility, application timeline, reporting requirements, and conservative assumptions (do not rely on grants as the only funding path).

Choosing the right option: a practical decision checklist
Use this section to justify your financing mix:
1) Define the cash conversion cycle: supplier deposit dates, production lead time, freight time, Amazon check-in time, sales velocity, payout schedule.
2) Separate uses of funds: inventory vs marketing vs overhead. Match long-lived assets with longer-term financing.
3) Protect unit economics: confirm contribution margin after Amazon referral fees, FBA fees, storage, returns, promotions, and PPC.
4) Stress-test: model delays (port congestion, check-in delays), higher ad costs, lower conversion rates, and return spikes.
5) Build a liquidity buffer: plan for stranded inventory, policy changes, or listing disruptions.

What lenders and investors will expect from an Amazon seller
Include the documentation you can provide:
- Historical P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statement (or bookkeeping exports).
- SKU-level economics: landed cost, fees, ad spend, return rate assumptions, and net margin.
- Inventory plan: reorder points, lead times, MOQs, and aged inventory management.
- Proof of sales traction: marketplace performance reports, payout history, and account health metrics.
- Operational risk controls: QA/QC process, compliance testing where applicable, insurance, and contingency suppliers.

Common pitfalls to address
- Overfunding PPC to compensate for weak product-market fit; financing should scale winners, not mask poor conversion.
- Using short-term, high-cost capital to buy slow-moving inventory.
- Ignoring Amazon-held reserves, returns, and reimbursement timing in cash planning.
- Failing to budget for inbound freight, prep, labeling, and compliance requirements that increase landed cost.
- Relying on a single financing source; include a fallback plan (e.g., reduced reorder quantity, renegotiated terms, temporary shift to FBM).

How to present the financing plan in the business plan
State the total funding required, timing (by month/quarter), and allocation by use (inventory, freight, launch spend, tools/software, staffing). Then list primary and secondary financing sources, with trigger points for when you will use each (e.g., LOC only after stable reorder cadence; equity only if expanding into new categories or geographies). This makes the financing strategy credible and directly tied to Amazon-specific operations.

The marketing and sales strategy for an Amazon-focused business should be designed around how customers discover products (search, recommendations, and ads), how they evaluate options (images, price, reviews, A+ content), and how Amazon’s algorithm rewards performance (conversion rate, sales velocity, availability, and customer satisfaction). The objective is to build predictable demand while protecting margin through disciplined ad spend, pricing, and inventory planning.

Target customer and positioning
Define the primary buyer segments by use case, intent, and willingness to pay (e.g., “daily use,” “professional grade,” “giftable”). Translate this into a single positioning statement that is consistent across title, images, A+ Content, Store, and off-Amazon landing pages. Select 1–2 differentiators that can be proven in the listing (materials, compatibility, warranty, bundle value, ease of use) and avoid claims that cannot be supported or that trigger compliance issues.

Channel strategy: Seller Central vs Vendor Central
Choose the operating model based on control and cash flow needs. Seller Central (FBA/FBM) typically offers more pricing and inventory control; Vendor Central may improve merchandising access but reduces price control and can introduce deductions/chargebacks. If pursuing both, define clear rules for which ASINs go where, how price parity will be maintained, and who owns inventory risk.

Listing foundation (conversion levers)
A high-performing Amazon listing is the primary “sales page.” Build and maintain a listing SOP that includes:
Title and bullets optimized for high-intent keywords while staying readable and compliant.
Image set that answers common questions: size, fit, use cases, comparisons, and “what’s included.”
A+ Content focused on differentiation, objection handling, and brand story (without exaggeration).
Variation strategy that reduces review fragmentation and improves shopper navigation (size/color packs).
Back-end search terms and attribute completion to improve indexing and filter visibility.

Keyword and category strategy
Research demand by mapping keywords into three groups: primary (highest intent), secondary (adjacent intent), and long-tail (high specificity). Select the most relevant category/subcategory to align with shopper expectations and conversion; test category changes only with a clear hypothesis and measurement window. Track organic rank and share of voice for the primary keyword set and adjust copy and campaigns accordingly.

Pricing and promotion strategy
Establish a pricing architecture that protects contribution margin after Amazon fees, freight, storage, returns, and ad spend. Define:
Target list price and minimum acceptable price (MAP-like internal floor).
Intro pricing plan (launch window) vs steady-state pricing plan.
Promotions to use deliberately: coupons, percentage-off, subscribe-and-save (if applicable), bundles, and limited-time deals when inventory and margin allow.
Rules for reacting to competitor price moves (when to match vs when to differentiate with bundles or value adds).

Advertising (Amazon Ads) plan
Structure advertising to support both discovery and efficiency. A practical campaign framework includes:
Sponsored Products: auto campaigns for harvesting search terms; manual campaigns segmented by match type (exact/phrase/broad) and intent.
Sponsored Brands: brand defense on branded terms, category-level discovery, and traffic to Store pages or curated collections.
Sponsored Display: retargeting viewers, product targeting on competitor ASINs, and defensive placements on your own ASINs.
Budgeting approach: allocate more to launch and key seasons; implement guardrails (max CPC, target ACOS/TACOS ranges) by product maturity stage.
Optimization cadence: weekly search term reviews, negatives, bid adjustments; monthly creative and landing (Store/A+ images) improvements.

Launch strategy (first 60–90 days)
Plan launches as controlled experiments with sufficient inventory to avoid stockouts. Key steps include:
Pre-launch: finalize compliance, packaging, inserts (policy-compliant), and listing assets; set up Brand Registry and Store if eligible.
Initial indexing: ensure keywords are present in title/bullets/A+ where relevant; use ads to drive early traffic to priority keywords.
Review generation: use Amazon-approved programs (e.g., Request a Review, Vine where appropriate) and focus on product quality and packaging to reduce negative feedback.
Measurement: track conversion rate, sessions, ad-attributed sales, TACOS, and returns; iterate quickly on images and bullets based on customer questions and reviews.

Brand building and retention
Because repeat purchase and brand trust lower reliance on ads over time, invest in brand assets within Amazon:
Brand Store as a navigation hub, with category pages and comparison content to improve cross-sell.
Post-purchase experience: clear instructions, warranty/FAQ pages, and proactive customer support to reduce returns and improve ratings.
Portfolio strategy: introduce complementary SKUs that improve average order value and allow bundled offers.

Off-Amazon demand generation (to support Amazon sales)
Use external channels to create incremental demand while respecting Amazon policies:
Content marketing and SEO targeting informational queries that lead to product consideration.
Social and influencer partnerships to demonstrate use cases; drive traffic to Amazon using Amazon Attribution links where possible.
Email/SMS for customers acquired off-Amazon (not from Amazon customer data), directing to brand content and product education.
Affiliate/creator programs that focus on repeatable content rather than one-time spikes.

Sales operations: inventory, fulfillment, and customer experience
Marketing performance is tightly coupled to in-stock rate and delivery promise. Define operational policies that support growth:
Inventory forecasting tied to ad budgets, seasonality, and lead times; maintain buffers for peak periods.
FBA vs FBM decision rules (size/weight, margins, return rates, delivery expectations).
Return and defect monitoring: identify root causes and feed changes back into product design and listing clarity.
Customer service SLAs and escalation paths to protect account health metrics.

International expansion and multi-marketplace strategy
If expanding beyond one marketplace, build a phased plan: validate product-market fit in a primary marketplace first, then localize listings (language, measurements, compliance), pricing (VAT/duties), and fulfillment (local FBA vs remote fulfillment). Establish a process for translating keyword research per locale rather than reusing U.S.-centric terms.

Measurement and KPIs
Operate with a dashboard that ties marketing inputs to profitability. Core KPIs include:
Organic and paid conversion rate by ASIN.
Advertising: ACOS and TACOS, cost per click, impression share on priority keywords (where available).
Unit economics: contribution margin per ASIN after fees, ads, and returns.
Operational health: in-stock rate, buy box percentage, refund/return rate, rating and review velocity.
Lifecycle metrics: repeat purchase indicators (where measurable), cross-sell attachment, and Store engagement.

Governance and continuous improvement
Create a monthly operating rhythm: listing audits, ad account restructures when needed, creative refreshes, and competitor monitoring (price, new entrants, review themes). Document playbooks for launches, ad scaling, and inventory planning to reduce dependence on individual operators and to support predictable growth.

Operations and logistics for an Amazon-focused business must be designed around fast inventory turns, strict compliance requirements, and predictable fulfillment performance. This section should explain how products are sourced, received, stored, prepared for sale, shipped to customers (or to Amazon), and managed after the sale (returns, customer support, and reimbursement workflows).

Fulfillment model and channel strategy
Define which fulfillment method(s) will be used and why, as this drives nearly all operational decisions:
• Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA): inventory is sent to Amazon fulfillment centers; Amazon handles pick/pack/ship and most customer service; operations focus on replenishment, prep compliance, and inventory health.
• Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM): you ship orders yourself or via a 3PL; operations focus on warehouse processes, carrier management, shipping SLAs, and customer service responsiveness.
• Hybrid: mix of FBA for fast movers and FBM for oversized, hazmat, seasonal, or margin-sensitive SKUs; operations must prevent stockouts and duplicate listings, and maintain consistent delivery promises.

Supplier management and inbound logistics
Describe how you will select, qualify, and manage suppliers and how inbound freight will be handled:
• Supplier selection: minimum quality standards, lead times, pricing structure (tiers/MOQs), packaging requirements, labeling capability, and documentation readiness (invoices, test reports, certifications).
• Purchase order process: who issues POs, approval thresholds, payment terms, and how changes are controlled (ETAs, partial shipments, substitutions).
• Freight planning: shipping mode decisions (air, ocean, ground), incoterms, customs brokerage approach (if importing), and contingency plans for delays.
• Receiving cadence: schedule for inbound deliveries, staffing plan for receiving days, and how discrepancies are documented and resolved with suppliers.

Product compliance, packaging, and labeling (Amazon requirements)
Explain how products will be prepared to meet Amazon policies and reduce inbound errors:
• Product compliance: category-specific requirements, restricted products checks, and documentation storage (safety data sheets where relevant, compliance declarations, test reports).
• Packaging standards: unit packaging durability, suffocation warnings (if polybags), expiration dating (if applicable), and damage prevention during transit.
• Labeling: barcode strategy (manufacturer barcode vs. Amazon label), FNSKU application rules, carton labels, and processes to prevent commingling issues where undesired.
• Prep workflows: who performs prep (supplier, in-house, 3PL, or Amazon prep services), with cost and turnaround time implications.

Inventory planning and replenishment
Outline how you will avoid stockouts and excess inventory while maintaining account health:
• Forecasting: method for projecting demand (historical sales, seasonality, promo calendars, advertising plans) and how forecasts are updated.
• Reorder points: target days of cover, lead-time buffers, and triggers for expedited replenishment.
• Inventory segmentation: fast movers vs. slow movers; bundling or liquidation tactics for aged stock; SKU rationalization rules.
• Amazon-specific constraints: approach to managing inventory limits, stranded inventory prevention, and restock planning around inbound appointment capacity and check-in delays.

Warehousing and storage
Describe where inventory will be stored and how storage decisions scale with volume:
• If primarily FBA: staging area for inbound prep, short-term storage for replenishment cycles, and processes for assembling shipments to Amazon (cartonization, palletization when used).
• If FBM or hybrid: in-house warehouse vs. 3PL selection criteria (location, cut-off times, integration, kitting/bundling, returns processing), and a plan to switch as volume increases.
• Storage standards: bin locations, lot tracking where needed, FIFO/FEFO for dated goods, and damage/loss controls.

Order processing and fulfillment (FBM and hybrid)
If shipping directly to customers, document the end-to-end order flow:
• Order capture: integration from Amazon to an order management system (or manual workflow early on) and how cancellations/changes are handled.
• Pick/pack: picking method (single-order, batch), packing guidelines by SKU, insert policy (compliant with Amazon rules), and quality checks to reduce defects.
• Shipping: carrier mix, service levels, rate shopping approach, label printing, daily cut-off times, and tracking upload reliability.
• Performance targets: internal SLAs for ship time, late shipment prevention, and defect reduction processes (root-cause review for late shipments, cancellations, and negative feedback).

Shipping to Amazon (FBA inbound)
For FBA, document the inbound shipment process clearly:
• Shipment planning: case pack vs. individual units, carton quantity rules, and how you decide shipment splits when Amazon recommends multiple destinations.
• Palletization and freight: when LTL/FTL is used, pallet requirements, appointment scheduling responsibilities, and how you prevent refused deliveries.
• Reconciliation: process for confirming received quantities, tracking check-in timelines, and filing claims when shortages or damages occur (with retained proof such as BOLs, supplier invoices, and packing lists).

Returns, refunds, and customer support
Explain how returns will be managed and how issues will be prevented:
• Returns handling: FBA returns assessment vs. FBM returns workflow, inspection criteria, disposition rules (restock, refurbish, dispose), and inventory adjustments.
• Customer support: response time standards, templates for common issues, escalation paths, and alignment with Amazon communication policies.
• Chargebacks/reimbursements: routine audits for lost/damaged inventory, return discrepancies, and fee issues; documentation management and claim cadence.

Quality control and continuous improvement
Describe your quality system in practical terms:
• Pre-shipment QC: sampling plan, critical-to-quality checks (dimensions, functionality, labeling accuracy), and acceptance criteria.
• Post-launch monitoring: review mining for defects, analysis of return reasons, and corrective actions with suppliers.
• CAPA process: how issues are logged, prioritized, assigned, and verified as resolved; how changes are communicated across sourcing, listings, and fulfillment.

Technology stack and integrations
List the tools that support operations and how they connect:
• Seller Central workflow ownership: roles and permissions, two-factor access controls, and standard operating procedures for key tasks (shipment creation, stranded inventory, case logs).
• Inventory and order systems: spreadsheets initially vs. dedicated inventory management, integration with accounting, and automation for purchase orders and replenishment alerts.
• Shipping tools (FBM): label generation, rate shopping, address validation, and tracking reliability monitoring.
• Data governance: how product master data is maintained (dimensions, weights, carton packs) to prevent fee surprises and shipment errors.

Team, roles, and SOPs
Specify who owns each operational function and how work is standardized:
• Core responsibilities: sourcing/POs, inbound receiving, prep/labeling, shipment creation, reconciliation/claims, and customer support.
• SOP library: receiving checklist, prep checklist by SKU, shipment audit checklist, and exception handling (damaged goods, missing units, carrier delays).
• Training and coverage: onboarding steps, cross-training plan, and backup coverage for peak periods.

Risk management and contingency planning
Address the operational risks most relevant to Amazon selling and how you will mitigate them:
• Supply risk: second-source strategy, safety stock policy, and supplier performance scorecards.
• Platform risk: listing or account issues impacting sales; documentation readiness and escalation procedures; compliance-first product roadmap.
• Logistics risk: carrier disruptions and inbound delays; alternative shipping modes and 3PL fallback options.
• Cash-flow risk tied to inventory: replenishment approvals tied to margin, sell-through, and aged inventory thresholds.

Key operational metrics to track
Include the metrics you will use to run the business and trigger corrective action:
• In-stock rate and stockout frequency by SKU
• Lead time (supplier + transit + check-in) and forecast accuracy
• Sell-through and aged inventory flags
• Inbound discrepancy rate and reimbursement recovery cycle time
• FBM: on-time shipment rate, cancellation rate, valid tracking rate, and return rate
• Unit economics drivers: storage exposure, fulfillment fee sensitivity to dimensions/weight, and damage/defect rate