Amazon Includes PayPal as a Available Payment Method for Buy with Prime
Amazon has made significant strides in enhancing its Buy with Prime and Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) services this year. The updates are designed to streamline operations for sellers and provide a more seamless shopping experience for customers.
One of the key developments is the extension of Buy with Prime checkout to external platforms such as TikTok. This move allows users to complete purchases directly within the TikTok app, while retaining Prime benefits such as fast shipping. This strategy aims to embed Buy with Prime checkout capabilities into advertising platforms and external sites, increasing merchants' access to Prime shoppers outside Amazon itself.
In terms of Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF), Amazon has improved the service by supporting better centralized inventory management and order fulfillment for merchants selling across multiple channels, including their own websites and other e-commerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce. MCF handles picking, packing, and shipping orders placed off Amazon, providing merchants with real-time tracking updates and allowing them to maintain brand consistency while offering competitive delivery speeds.
Moreover, Amazon has introduced MCF fast badges to highlight products that qualify for faster delivery on platforms like Google Shopping and TikTok. These badges help merchants attract customers seeking quicker shipments.
The updates do not affect the payment methods available for general Amazon purchases. However, Amazon has added the option to pay via PayPal for Buy with Prime purchases. Amazon will also enable Prime members to connect their PayPal account to their Prime account next year, allowing for fast, free shipping while shopping with Buy with Prime on participating merchants' sites.
Amazon's updates to Buy with Prime and MCF services were announced at its Accelerate seller conference. The new features are part of Amazon's ongoing efforts to build upon its Buy with Prime capabilities.
The number of merchants offering Buy with Prime is up over 25%, and Buy with Prime orders through merchants' websites are up over 45% year over year. These figures indicate a growing acceptance and utilization of the service among merchants and shoppers alike.
Amazon is hosting its Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 for its Prime members in 19 countries. The Prime Big Deal Days will offer discounts on items such as electronics, toys, and apparel.
The updates do not specify any changes to the return policies for Buy with Prime purchases or any changes to the shipping speeds or costs for Buy with Prime purchases. However, Amazon has integrated ReturnGo into its MCF service, allowing merchants to automate their reverse logistics.
In summary, the 2023 expansions focused on extending Buy with Prime checkout to external platforms for seamless social commerce integration, streamlining MCF for better inventory synchronization, real-time order tracking, and multi-platform sales support, and introducing fast delivery badges within MCF to boost product visibility and enhance customer experience on external ad channels. These updates aim to provide a more efficient and seamless e-commerce experience for both sellers and shoppers.
[1] https://aboutamazon.amazon.com/news/business/amazon-expands-buy-with-prime-to-tiktok-ads-and-shopify [2] https://aboutamazon.amazon.com/news/business/amazon-improves-multi-channel-fulfillment-for-us-merchants [4] https://aboutamazon.amazon.com/news/business/amazon-accelerate-2023-announces-new-buy-with-prime-and-multi-channel-fulfillment-features-to-help-sellers-grow-their-businesses
