Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond The Listings

What did this year's earlier, four-day Prime Day really tell established Amazon brands?

Our Beyond the Listings panel - with brand-side insight from USN - gets into reading post-event data properly: flexible ad budgets over set-and-forget, conversion and retail-readiness signals, remarketing to Prime Day browsers, putting non-hero SKUs to work and how mini-peaks like back-to-school fit a smarter 12 month calendar.

~~~~~

Prime Day gives established Amazon brands a concentrated view of shopper demand, traffic quality, advertising performance and product-level opportunity.

But the real commercial value comes after the event, when brands take the data and turn it into better decisions so, in this Beyond the Listings session, our panel unpacks what this year's Prime Day actually told brands - and how to act on it.

Across the hour, the panel covers when to increase, hold or pull back ad spend and why flexible budgeting beats a set-and-forget approach; how to read conversion and retail-readiness signals when traffic arrives but doesn't convert; remarketing to Prime Day browsers and buyers to keep momentum going; benchmarking against competitors when Amazon gives you little to work with; and how mini-peaks like back-to-school - now a confirmed Amazon Tier 1 event - fit into a smarter twelve-month promotional calendar.

It’s Venture Forge’s classic strategic Amazon perspective teamed up with brand-side insights from USN.

On the panel:

* Travis Chappell - Head of Operations, Venture Forge (host)

* Emma Pickard - Head of Client Services, Venture Forge

* Mike Godsiff - Head of Advertising and Media, Venture Forge

* PJ van Rooyen - Head of E-commerce and Brand, USN

If you'd like support reviewing your Prime Day performance and turning the data into a clearer Amazon growth plan, we’d love to chat.

Get in touch at hello@ventureforge.co.uk

Licensed brand growth on Amazon can look like a major opportunity, but it becomes harder to control when licensors, licensees, sellers and product categories are not commercially aligned.

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our panel explores how licensed brands can turn IP into Amazon growth by creating a more joined-up customer experience, stronger brand control and clearer commercial ownership.

For established brands operating seriously on Amazon, the challenge is rarely just getting products listed. More often, it is whether the brand is being represented consistently across the channel, whether official products are easy to find, whether Brand Registry and content ownership are set up correctly, and whether licensors have enough visibility of what is really happening on Amazon.

From fragmented brand stores and grey market products to licensee collaboration, retail merchandising principles and Amazon data, this episode looks at the practical changes licensors and licensees can make to protect the brand, improve the customer journey and create stronger commercial outcomes.

Whether you are a licensor, licensee, Vendor, Seller or hybrid brand, this episode offers practical insight into how licensed brands can approach Amazon with more structure, clarity and commercial control.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why licensed brands often become fragmented on Amazon
• The difference between licensors, licensees and their role in Amazon growth
• Why Amazon rewards sellers, not brands
• How retail merchandising principles can improve the Amazon customer journey
• Why brand stores should not be treated as set-and-forget assets
• How grey market products and rogue sellers can damage brand value
• Why Brand Registry and content ownership can become complex for licensed IP
• How licensors can use Amazon data to spot category gaps and growth opportunities
• Why licensees need clearer standards, guidelines and commercial support
• How better collaboration can help licensors, licensees and consumers win
• Why Amazon should be treated as a major brand window, not just another sales channel

Featuring:

🎙 Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

🎙 Jonathan Newton – COO, Venture Forge

🎙 Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Matthew Wilson – IT & Systems Manager, Rainbow Designs

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight-led episodes.

🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon strategy? Visit ventureforge.com/contact

#AmazonStrategy #AmazonGrowth #LicensedBrands #BrandLicensing #AmazonVendor #AmazonSeller #MarketplaceStrategy #EcommerceLeadership #RetailMedia #BeyondTheListings

International Amazon growth can look like a major opportunity, but expansion becomes harder to control when the commercial and operational foundations are not ready to scale.

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our panel explores what established brands need to consider before expanding across Amazon markets.

For brands already operating seriously on Amazon, the challenge is rarely just launching in another territory. More often, it is whether the business is ready to manage the pricing, fulfilment, compliance, localisation, advertising investment and margin pressure that comes with international growth.

Whether you run Vendor, Seller or a hybrid model, this episode offers practical insight into how brands can approach Amazon expansion with more structure, clarity and commercial control.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why international expansion is not just about turning listings on
• How to assess whether a new market is commercially viable
• What operational challenges brands need to plan for
• How localisation affects trust, conversion and customer experience
• Why advertising investment matters when entering a new market
• How to protect margin as complexity increases
• Why data should guide market selection, but not replace commercial judgement

Featuring:

🎙 Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

🎙 Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Matthew Wilson – Business Systems and Online Manager, Rainbow Designs

🎙 Gareth Oaten – European Sales Director, Ecommerce, Sharp Consumer Electronics Europe

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight led episodes.

🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon strategy? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ventureforge.com/contact⁠⁠⁠

Amazon growth often becomes harder to sustain long before performance actually drops.

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our panel explores what happens when the opportunity on Amazon outpaces the structure, ownership and capability around it.

For established brands already operating seriously on Amazon, the issue is rarely demand. More often, it is whether the internal function has been built to support the pace, complexity and commercial pressure that comes with scale.

Whether you run Vendor, Seller or a hybrid model, this episode offers practical insight into how stronger Amazon capability supports better performance.

Here’s what we cover:

- The capability gaps that hold Amazon teams back

- Why more headcount does not always improve performance

- What strong Amazon functions look like as brands scale

- Where internal ownership matters most

- Where external support can accelerate progress- How better alignment across finance, marketing, ops and supply chain improves execution

Featuring:

🎙 Josh McNeice – Growth Director, Venture Forge

🎙 Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Patrick Murray – Amazon Recruitment Director, 3Search

🎙 James Prewitt – VP of E-commerce, Paladone

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight led episodes.

🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon strategy? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ventureforge.com/contact⁠⁠

What does healthy Amazon growth actually look like?

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, the Venture Forge team explores what it takes to grow on Amazon in a way that is commercially sustainable — not just fast. From profitability and market share to stock, operations, advertising and planning, this is a practical discussion on how established brands can scale without creating bigger problems behind the scenes. Whether you’re a 1P Vendor, 3P Seller or hybrid brand, this episode breaks down the warning signs of unhealthy growth, the common mistakes brands make, and the commercial discipline needed to build momentum that lasts.

Here’s what we cover:

• What “healthy growth” on Amazon really means
• Why sales growth without profit is not sustainable
• The metrics brands should actually be watching
• How stock, operations and advertising work together
• Why brands lose momentum after peak trading periods
• The risks of relying too heavily on promotions and discounts
• Market share, impressions and other early warning signs to watch
• Why long-term planning matters more than short-term fixes
• The difference between Vendor, Seller and hybrid growth models
• How to stay commercially disciplined while still scaling

Featuring:

🎙 Josh McNeice – Growth Director, Venture Forge

🎙 Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Rachel – Principal Account Manager, Venture Forge

🎙 Elfie – Principal Ads Manager, Venture Forge

If you’re responsible for Amazon growth and want clearer thinking around profitability, planning and performance, this episode is packed with practical insight.

🔔 Subscribe for more expert-led Amazon insights, strategy and practical advice for established brands

📞 Want tailored support for your brand? Visit ventureforge.co.uk

#AmazonGrowth #AmazonStrategy #AmazonVendor #AmazonSeller #EcommerceStrategy #MarketplaceGrowth #AmazonAdvertising #BeyondTheListings #RetailGrowth #VentureForge

Amazon content is no longer just about presentation. It directly influences conversion, reviews, advertising efficiency, and long-term growth. In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our expert panel explores how customer behaviour is changing and what established brands need to do to keep their listings performing in 2026.

Whether you're a 1P Vendor or 3P Seller, you'll walk away with practical insights to improve conversion, strengthen trust, and make your content work harder commercially.

Here's what we cover:

- Mobile-first behaviour and how customers actually consume content

- Why imagery, video, and structure now drive buying decisions

- The link between content, reviews, and customer trust

- Why new product launches often struggle to gain traction

- How Brand Stores support conversion and cross-selling

Featuring:

🎙 Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

🎙 Rob Smith – Head of Design, Venture Forge

🎙 Jessica Turner – Senior Account Manager, Venture Forge

🎙 Lee Clowes – Founder, Trends UK

🔔 Subscribe to ‪@venture-forge for more expert-led Amazon insights

📞 Want tailored support for your brand? Visit ventureforge.co.uk

#AmazonContent #AmazonStrategy #AmazonGrowth #AmazonSellers #AmazonVendors #BeyondTheListings #EcommerceGrowth #RetailMedia

Amazon growth doesn’t happen by accident. By the time most brands react, budgets are set, stock is locked in, and teams are already stretched. In this episode of the Venture Forge Podcast, our panel breaks down what real planning for Amazon growth in 2026 looks like—and where brands commonly get it wrong.

From using historical data properly to avoiding stock and resourcing pitfalls, this session is a practical conversation about building a plan that can actually be executed, not just approved.

Whether you’re a 1P Vendor or 3P Seller, you’ll walk away with clear, commercial insights to help you plan, prioritise, and scale on Amazon. Here’s what we cover:

- What an effective Amazon growth plan for 2026 really looks like

- Using historical performance and market data to build a roadmap

- Learning from category leaders and fast-moving challenger brands

- Why stock availability is still the biggest growth blocker on Amazon

- Forecasting, capacity constraints, and avoiding costly stockouts

- Team structure: why one “Amazon person” isn’t scalable

- In-house vs agency support and when each makes sense

- Operational discipline: walking the shop and fixing friction early

- Amazon-specific products, bundles, and exclusives as margin levers

- DSP and retail media in context (and why they won’t fix weak fundamentals)

- How to stay strategic while managing constant reactive issues

Featuring:

🎙 Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

🎙 Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services, Venture Forge

🎙 Ross Haswell – Amazon Retail Lead Pooch & Mutt

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight led episodes.🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon strategy? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠ventureforge.co.uk/contact⁠⁠

#AmazonStrategy #AmazonGrowth #AmazonVendor #AmazonVendors #AmazonSeller #AmazonSellers #Ecommerce #RetailGrowth #MarketplaceStrategy #VentureForgePodcast

Amazon Ads, DSP and AMC are evolving fast but are they actually driving growth, or just producing more dashboards?

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, we break down what high-impact Amazon advertising really looks like — from in-console Sponsored Ads to DSP, Sponsored TV and Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC).

Our expert panel share how they’re using AMC and DSP day to day, the mistakes brands make, and how to build a full-funnel strategy that delivers incremental results, not just “nice” ROAS.

• What’s changing in the world of Amazon Ads
• AMC explained: how to actually use Amazon Marketing Cloud
• Turning “too much data” into clear decisions
• DSP beyond awareness: retargeting, LTV, incrementality
• How to test DSP safely (without wasting budget)
• Onsite vs offsite: Sponsored Ads, DSP, Sponsored TV & external traffic
• Using Prime Day & Black Friday insights for future planning
• The biggest mistakes brands make with DSP & AMC
• Sponsored Ads fundamentals: structure, granularity, data-led strategy

Here’s what we cover:

Featuring:

• Josh McNeice - Growth Director, Venture Forge
• Mike Godsiff – Head of Advertising & Media, Venture Forge
• Elfie Brocklehurst – PPC Manager, Venture Forge
• Bill Carter – EMEA Sales Director, Pacvue

🔔 Subscribe to @venture-forge for more expert-led Amazon insights

📞 Want tailored Amazon ad support? Visit ventureforge.co.uk/contact

#AmazonAds #AmazonDSP #AmazonMarketingCloud #RetailMedia #BeyondTheListings #AmazonSellers #AmazonVendors #DigitalAdvertising #EcommercePodcast

Ready for Q4 on Amazon?

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, we break down what really drives success during Amazon’s busiest season. From planning and budgeting to ads strategy and content alignment, our experts share the tactics that help brands stay competitive and profitable through Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond.

✅ When and how to plan for Q4 effectively

✅ Ads strategy: building momentum vs chasing ROI

✅ Managing budgets, bids, and dayparting for maximum impact

✅ Using DSP, AMC, and remarketing to capture every opportunity

✅ Balancing discounts, visibility, and profitability

✅ Aligning content, SEO, and ads for full-funnel performance

🎙 Featuring:

Josh McNeice – Growth Director, Venture Forge

Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services, Venture Forge

Mike Godsiff – Head of Retail Media and Advertising, Venture Forge

Bella Monton – Global Amazon Advertising Manager, Tetrosyl Group

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight led episodes

🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon strategy? Visit ⁠⁠ventureforge.co.uk/contact⁠⁠

#AmazonQ4 #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonSeller #AmazonVendor #AmazonAdvertising #PeakSeasonPlanning #BeyondTheListings #AmazonDSP #AmazonAds #RetailGrowth

Feeling the pressure from your Amazon Vendor negotiations?

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, we tackle the tough talks head-on—from shifting terms and rising fees to internal pushback and relationship strain.

Whether you're deep into your AVN prep or negotiating Vendor terms for the first time, our expert panel shares proven strategies and real-world examples to help you take control of the conversation and secure better outcomes.

✅ Handle co-op and MDF demands strategically

✅ Use data, benchmarking and hybrid models to strengthen your case

✅ Know when to push back—and how to say no

✅ Build better alignment with your Vendor Manager

✅ Use exclusivity and long-term planning to your advantage

🎙 Featuring:

Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge

Chris Khoo – Director, Khoo Commerce

James Prewitt – Head of E-commerce, Paladone

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight-led episodes.

🌐 Want tailored support for your Amazon Vendor strategy? Visit ⁠ventureforge.co.uk/contact

#AmazonVendor #VendorNegotiations #EcommerceStrategy #AVN2025 #AmazonMarketplace

Is your Amazon operation set up for profit or just survival?

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, we go beyond the listings (literally) to explore the operational foundations that drive margin, growth, and long-term success on Amazon.

From stock availability and fulfilment to chargebacks, packaging, and hybrid models—our panel unpacks what brands must get right behind the scenes.

Whether you're a 1P Vendor or 3P Seller, you'll walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your operation and protect your bottom line.

✅ Improve stock flow and availability

✅ Reduce chargebacks, shortages and prep costs

✅ Build scalable SOPs and team structures

✅ Flex fulfilment strategy with hybrid and bundles

🎙 Featuring:

Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge

Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge

Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services, Venture Forge

Anthony Dawe – Senior E-commerce Manager, Lansinoh Laboratories UK

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight-led episodes.

🌐 Want tailored support for your brand’s Amazon strategy? Visit ⁠ventureforge.co.uk⁠

#AmazonOperations #EcommerceStrategy #FBA #AmazonVendor #AmazonSeller #Chargebacks #StockAvailability #BeyondTheListings

Ready for Amazon's biggest sales season?

Q4 is where the winners pull ahead. In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our expert panel shares the proven strategies that drive real commercial results during Prime Big Deal Days, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the January sales.

Whether you're a 1P Vendor or 3P Seller, you'll walk away with actionable insights to help you scale and stay ahead of the competition.

✅ Plan high-performing peak campaigns

✅ Maximise seasonal ad performance

✅ Avoid stockouts and operational chaos

✅ Retain and re engage customers post-peak

🎙 Featuring:

• Josh McNeice – Growth Director, Venture Forge
• Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services,
• Venture Forge Emma Pickard – Head of Seller Services,
• Venture Forge Tom Doherty – Amazon & International Marketplace Manager, Tetrosyl

🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more insight-led episodes.

🌐 Need tailored support for your Q4 strategy? Visit ventureforge.co.uk

#AmazonQ4 #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonVendor #AmazonSeller #PeakSeasonPlanning #BlackFridayAmazon #PrimeDayStrategy #BeyondTheListings

Is your brand ready for Amazon's new compliance crackdown?

Amazon is tightening the rules—and brands that don’t take compliance seriously risk product removals, lost revenue, and mounting penalties.

In this episode of Beyond the Listings, our expert panel breaks down what enforcement looks like in 2024 and how to stay ahead of it.

✅ Product safety and labelling requirements

✅ Common packaging and prep compliance issues

✅ Chargebacks, shortage claims, and operational risks

✅ What to do when Amazon flags or removes your products

🎙 Featuring:

• Andy Banks – CEO, Venture Forge
• Travis Chappell – Head of Vendor Services, Venture Forge
• Chris Khoo – Director, Khoo Commerce
• James – Head of E-commerce, Paladone

🎧 Listen now to protect your listings, margins, and growth.

🌐 Need tailored compliance support? Visit ventureforge.co.uk

#AmazonCompliance #AmazonEnforcement #AmazonSeller #AmazonVendor #MarketplaceStrategy #EcommerceGrowth #BeyondTheListings