ANavigator Weekly Amazon Digest | Week 5

2 Feb 2026

ANavigator Weekly Amazon Digest | Week 5

Author: Oleksandr Kovalov
Role: Founder & CEO @ ANavigator

Each week, we summarize the most important Amazon updates and explain what they really mean for sellers — not just the news itself, but how it affects profit, operations, and growth decisions.

Week 5 is about automation, control, and cleanup.
Amazon is pushing ads toward AI-first setups, tightening operational rules, and simplifying internal systems. At the same time, manual work, edge cases, and reseller loopholes are getting more expensive.

Below is our breakdown of the key updates from last week.


Weekly Highlights

 

  1. Sponsored Brands product collections go AI-first
  2. Amazon confirms 16,000 more job cuts
  3. Brand Registry launches Co-Brand Relationships
  4. New analytics for product videos
  5. FBA barcode rules change for resellers
  6. Amazon shuts down Fresh & Go stores
  7. FBA removal and disposal fees update

 


1. Sponsored Brands Product Collections Go AI-First

 

Amazon rolled out a major update to Sponsored Brands product collections.

Ads can now include 3–10 products instead of just 3. Amazon’s AI can automatically select which ASINs to show based on shopper intent, or brands can still choose products manually. Key product details now appear directly in the ad.

The biggest shift: no custom image and no headline required.

This clearly moves Sponsored Brands closer to automation. Creative control matters less. Catalog structure, ASIN quality, and conversion signals matter more — because the system decides what gets shown.


2. Amazon Confirms 16,000 More Job Cuts

 

Amazon confirmed another 16,000 layoffs, bringing total cuts to around 30,000 after earlier reductions in 2025.

Roles across the US, Canada, and Costa Rica are affected, including teams in AWS, Advertising, and Retail. The announcement came just before Q4 2025 earnings, where strong profitability is still expected.

At the same time, Amazon confirmed it will shut down all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores in the US.

The direction is consistent: fewer people, more automation, tighter cost control.


3. Brand Registry Launches Co-Brand Relationships

 

Amazon introduced Co-Brand Relationships inside Brand Registry.

Brands can now formally link with partner brands to manage licensed, shared, or co-branded products. Early benefits include clearer ownership, better permissions, and fewer conflicts when multiple parties manage the same listings.

For brands working with licenses or collaborations, this reduces friction. The real impact will depend on how strongly Amazon connects this feature to enforcement and catalog control.


4. New Analytics for Product Videos

 

Amazon rolled out new performance analytics for product videos.

Beyond views, brands can now see view duration, CTR, CVR, and sales at the video level. This makes it clear which videos actually drive conversions — not just engagement.

This data helps teams decide what to improve, what to replace, and which videos are strong enough to reuse in Sponsored Brand Video ads.


5. FBA Barcode Rules Change for Resellers (March 31, 2026)

 

Starting March 31, 2026, sellers outside Brand Registry can no longer use manufacturer barcodes (UPC, EAN, ISBN) for FBA. Every unit must be labeled with an FNSKU.

This follows the end of commingling. Inventory, returns, and removals are now fully tied to each seller.
Brand Registry brands can still use manufacturer barcodes. Resellers cannot — even if authorized.

Non-compliant units risk being marked defective and losing reimbursement eligibility. This adds handling costs and further separates brand owners from arbitrage models.

 

 


6. Amazon Shuts Down Fresh & Go Stores

 

Amazon is closing all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores.

Whole Foods will expand with 100+ new locations, while Amazon continues grocery delivery through Amazon.com. Reports also point to new big-box retail stores, with the first expected near Chicago in 2027.

Amazon is stepping away from small physical formats and doubling down on scalable models.


7. FBA Removal & Disposal Fees Update (Feb 15, 2026)

 

From February 15, 2026, FBA removal and disposal fees will be charged per unit as processed, not all at once.

Fees stay the same, but reporting becomes more granular. This improves visibility into cleanup costs and makes inventory decisions easier to track in real time.

Operational clarity improves — especially for large or slow-moving inventories.


Week 5 reinforces Amazon’s current direction:

Automation is replacing manual setup
Operational discipline is non-negotiable
Loose models and shortcuts are being closed

Amazon is simplifying its systems — and raising the cost of being unprepared.

Weak execution gets more expensive.
Structured brands gain efficiency and control.

If you want to stay updated on Amazon changes, subscribe to this blog below.

If you need help with your product or brand, contact the ANavigator team at info@anavigator.co
We help Amazon brands with PPC, DSP, analytics, and long-term growth decisions. — The ANavigator Team LinkedIn page to contact us:

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SELECTED ARTICLE

Embracing Change and Innovation in Amazon E-commerce
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December 1, 2023
Embracing Change and Innovation in Amazon E-commerce

Amazon E-commerce Innovation: Embracing Change in a Dynamic Marketplace

The Amazon marketplace, known for its dynamic and ever-changing nature, presents a fascinating world of opportunities and challenges for sellers and brands. This platform, which started as a relatively open market, has evolved into a complex and competitive arena, demanding continuous adaptation and Amazon e-commerce innovation from its participants.

Since its early days as a burgeoning online marketplace, Amazon has transformed into a global e-commerce powerhouse, reshaping the way products are sold and marketed. Sellers now face an environment where standing out requires not only quality products but also strategic, data-driven approaches and a deep understanding of Amazon e-commerce innovation trends. Recognizing and adapting to these shifts is essential for anyone looking to carve out a successful niche in this competitive space.

Key Aspects of Amazon E-commerce Innovation

Amazon continues to drive innovation by introducing tools and programs that enable brands to optimize their presence and marketing efforts. From advanced PPC advertising options to the powerful DSP services Amazon offers, sellers have access to robust tools that enhance their visibility and help them reach their ideal customer base. This level of innovation requires sellers to constantly adapt their strategies, ensuring they make the most of these features to maximize their reach and profitability.

Moreover, Amazon’s emphasis on customer experience influences its evolving policies and standards, pushing sellers to keep up with quality, delivery, and product standards. This drive for innovation affects not only marketing approaches but also operational efficiency, requiring sellers to align their logistics and customer service with Amazon’s high standards. As the platform continues to evolve, sellers need to stay informed of the latest innovations in e-commerce to maintain a competitive edge.

Adapting to Change for Long-Term Success

Thriving in Amazon’s competitive landscape requires more than just an understanding of the basics. Successful sellers invest in learning about Amazon e-commerce innovation to make informed decisions and respond proactively to shifts in market trends and customer expectations. By embracing change, optimizing advertising strategies, and staying current with Amazon’s latest tools, sellers can ensure their businesses grow and succeed.

In the ever-evolving world of Amazon, adaptability and innovation are keys to long-term success. Those who actively embrace Amazon’s innovations and changes in the e-commerce landscape will find themselves well-positioned to thrive.

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Amazon’s “Targeting with AI” Just Got Its First Strategy. Here Is What the Beta Actually Does.
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The bigger change is that you'll increasingly manage campaigns by asking it questions in plain language. - One platform. Ads Agent brings the Ads Console and Amazon DSP together. Sponsored Ads, Full-Funnel Campaigns and DVA+ are now all managed in the same place. - Media planning. You can ask it to size audiences, forecast reach and suggest how to split your budget. It can also compare how much new reach different options would add. - AI targeting. You describe the audience you want, and it recommends products, categories, keywords and Amazon audiences to target. Amazon says advertisers using it reached 25%+ more unique customers at a 10%+ lower cost per impression. - Sponsored Products guidance. It finds optimization opportunities in your Sponsored Products campaigns. You can apply them in one click. - Analytics by conversation. Instead of building reports, you ask questions about performance. 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Not sure which of these updates are worth acting on for your account? Book a free audit and we'll go through it with you.   If you want to stay updated on Amazon changes, subscribe to our blog. If you need support with PPC, DSP, AMC, analytics, or a long-term growth strategy, contact the ANavigator team at info@anavigator.co  Book a call to get a FREE AUDIT by the link below:     Book a call – FREE AUDIT   Follow my Weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn:  / amazon-digest-for-brands-7232361008185372672   Follow me on LinkedIn:  / ookovalov Follow ANavigator on social media:  / anavigator    /@anavigator_official  / anavigator7    / @anavigators     LinkedIn page to contact us:   Author: Oleksandr Kovalov Role: Founder & CEO @ ANavigator — The ANavigator Team
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