Overview

Helium 10’s episode #139, recorded in early 2024, features WM Logistics expert Robert Schwamborn outlining the current logistics climate for Amazon sellers. The conversation spotlights rising freight costs, the surge in third‑party logistics (3PL) adoption, and tighter Amazon inventory metrics—issues that directly affect sellers’ ability to keep shelves stocked and margins intact.

Key Points

• Freight cost escalation — Global container shortages and volatile fuel prices have lifted both ocean and air freight rates throughout 2024, forcing sellers to revisit their shipping models.
• Shift toward 3PL partners — An increasing share of Amazon merchants now outsource inbound and outbound handling to specialists such as WM Logistics to gain operational flexibility.
• Tighter Inventory Performance Index (IPI) rules — Amazon has raised the minimum IPI score required to avoid excess‑storage fees, making real‑time inventory health more critical than ever.
• Proliferation of regional micro‑fulfillment hubs — WM Logistics and other providers are opening small‑scale warehouses near major Amazon fulfillment centers across Europe and North America, shortening last‑mile delivery windows.
• Mandatory API integration — Seamless data exchange between sellers’ inventory platforms and 3PL systems is now expected, enabling instant stock visibility and automated replenishment triggers.
• Dynamic safety‑stock planning — Top‑performing sellers are using predictive models that incorporate promotional calendars and seasonal demand spikes to set buffer inventory levels.

How WM Logistics’ Service Works

1. Account onboarding — Sellers create a profile on WM Logistics’ online portal, upload their SKU list, and authorize API access to their Amazon seller account. Example: A vitamin supplement company links its Helium 10 inventory dashboard to WM Logistics, allowing both platforms to share live stock quantities.
2. Inbound shipment planning — The 3PL evaluates the seller’s demand forecast, selects the most economical carrier, and consolidates multiple origins into a single container destined for a regional hub.