Upside

In this week’s episode of Upside, Ali & Zamir explore the different types of profit margin, the distinction between gross and net, and how operating costs and fixed overheads affect each. Hear how factors including selling price and category competitiveness influence target margins, and whether aiming for profitability on the first sale is always the best strategy, not forgetting the often ove...

Is TikTok's charm in its ability to sell products directly, or does its strength lie elsewhere? In this week’s episode, Ali & Zamir examine whether you can leverage TikTok for product sales, and explore the unpredictability of achieving and maintaining viral success. Uncover the truth about engaging with the platform, know the facts around data accuracy and metric transparency and gain insight...

Amazon's latest move to penalise sellers for not maintaining a minimum of 30 days' worth of inventory has sparked outrage. Is it Amazon tightening the screws on small sellers, or a necessary push towards better inventory management? In this episode, Ali & Zamir unpack the complex dynamics at play, scrutinising Amazon's rationale behind these new FBA fees and exploring the impact on small selle...

In this episode, Ali & Zamir are joined by Carl and Tommy from Scottish Enterprise to explore the challenges and opportunities sellers face when deploying new technologies. Scottish Enterprise supports Scottish companies to expand internationally using digital platforms. They explain how the pandemic accelerated digital trade and discuss the success of last year's digital trade symposium. This...

In this episode of Upside, Ali & Zamir look back on a busy June by sharing some of their highlights. Hear about their recent work with Scottish Enterprise and SDI, and a visit to the DigiExpo West conference. High level networking was done at Cannes Lions Festival in France, with lots of talk about the rapid evolution of AI. Ali & Zamir are gearing up for an exciting journey to South Afric...

What if the key to e-commerce success lies not just in finding the right product, but in choosing the right partners? In this episode we unlock the secrets to building a successful Amazon business in the competitive world of consumer electronics. Zamir shares his hard-won wisdom by opening up about his initial missteps in relying too heavily on communication skills over product quality when sourci...

Is Advertising Cost of Sales (ACOS) truly the metric you should be losing sleep over, or is there a tastier option out there - TACOS (Total Advertising Cost of Sales)? In this episode, Ali & Zamir unravel the complex world of advertising metrics by pitting ACOS against TACOS, challenging the conventional wisdom that lower ACOS is always better. Hear how TACOS offers a more comprehensive view o...

Unlock the secrets of Amazon's Prime Day and transform your sales strategy with insights that could redefine how you approach this retail juggernaut. In this episode, Ali & Zamir discuss the significance of timing, why sales often dip right after the Prime Day announcement, and how to leverage these insights for optimising your organic rankings. Historical data suggests that Prime Day will lik...

What sets Amazon Canada apart from its southern neighbour? In this episode, Ali & Zamir are joined by Runda Shahar of Seller Interactive, Canada’s award winning Amazon marketing agency. Hear how stricter regulations and bilingual packaging requirements can surprisingly play to your advantage, creating a golden opportunity with less competition. With Runda sharing valuable insights on navigatin...

Amazon has dropped another bombshell: slashing FBA storage capacity in the US by up to 75%. This staggering cut has sellers scrambling, leaving us questioning whether there's more to the story.  In this episode, Ali & Zamir explore whether Amazon is covering up a deeper issue or simply recalibrating its operations post-pandemic. As peak shopping events like Prime Day approach, inventory manage...

In this special episode recorded at a team retreat, Ali & Zamir are joined by Leon, a talented digital marketing specialist, and James, the dynamic head of Amazon marketplaces at This Way Up. Discover their unique career paths, with Leon sharing his journey from university straight into the team, while James shares his decision to pursue an apprenticeship with This Way Up instead of a degree....

What if Amazon could redefine the very notion of delivery speed? In this episode, Ali & Zamir explore the groundbreaking ambitions unveiled in Andy Jassy's annual letter to shareholders, including Amazon's audacious goal to shrink delivery windows to under two hours. Take a closer look at Amazon’s unwavering customer obsession, constant innovation, and long-term strategies. In particular, the...

"I quit my 40-hour a week job so I could work 150 hours for myself” - it definitely isn’t for everyone but for those who find a side hustle like selling on Amazon, it could become a reality that opens up a new way of living and working.  In this episode, Ali & Zamir shine a spotlight on their personal and professional lives and how being successful founders has unlocked the ability to live and...

In this special episode, Ali & Zamir discuss cross-border trade and the current tariff war between the US and China. They explore the unpredictable and volatile nature of tariffs and how they significantly affect business planning and stock management. As businesses grapple with uncertainty, hear about the importance of adjusting pricing strategies or accepting lower margins to continue operat...

In this special episode recorded whilst grabbing wings, Ali & Zamir share their love for the food, and their appreciation of “Hot Ones” alongside their personal origin stories leading them to come together as This Way Up. Starting with Zamir, the web development expert who, in the wake of Google's Penguin and Panda updates, found a side hustle in Amazon selling. Hear how creative experimentati...

Could the trend of gendered AI names influence how we perceive these tools, and does it affect their functionality? In this episode, Ali & Zamir pull back the curtain on Amazon's latest AI tool, Project Amelia. With the rare exception of Rufus, we explore the curious pattern of naming AI tools with female names, and ask whether these choices impact user interaction. Highlight the impressive po...

Amazon takes incentivised reviews very seriously. So much so that they recently axed half a million listings that violated their guidelines. Despite previously banning cashback programs and third-party review manipulations, incentivised reviews have continued. In this episode, Ali & Zamir explore how activities that were once commonplace have been stamped out by Amazon to ensure fair competiti...

Are you ready to transition from being an overwhelmed generalist to visionary leader? In this episode, Ali + Zamir explore how to scale your business with precision and strategic foresight. We hear comparisons with the classic strategy game Age of Empires as they illustrate how intentional team expansion can prevent you from becoming a bottleneck in your own business, and how AI can be positioned...

What lessons can we learn from the rise and fall of the pure-play direct-to-consumer brands that surged between 2016-2019? In this episode, Ali & Zamir explore the strategies used by brands that flourished in the past but are now facing rising customer acquisition costs amid the impact of iOS 14 updates on transparency. Think you're optimising your sales funnel? Think again! Ali & Zamir ex...

Is your business drowning in data but still struggling to make confident decisions? Discover why more isn't always better when selling on Amazon. In this episode, Ali & Zamir discuss the importance of data-driven decision-making in e-commerce, the challenges of data overload, the distinction between vanity and impact metrics, and the role of AI in providing actionable insights. Blending quanti...

In this episode, Ali & Zamir discuss the often misunderstood concept of discounting in online selling. They explore the common objections to discounting, the strategic approach to ensure success, and how discounts can be used to ultimately increase sales and organic ranking on platforms like Amazon.  The discussion includes insights on intelligent discounting mechanisms, data-driven approaches...

In this episode, Ali & Zamir debunk the myth that having more products (SKUs) leads to more sales or happier customers, highlighting that too many choices can overwhelm buyers and ultimately hurt your business. They explore how focusing on a smaller range of top-performing products can simplify operations, improve profitability, and even enhance customer experience. Sharing a minimalist produc...

Expansion into new markets often comes wrapped in the promise of growth, increased revenue, and greater visibility - but at what cost? In this episode, Ali & Zamir explore the allure and pitfalls of business expansion, shining a light on the critical decisions sellers face when scaling their brands. From their personal experiences, hear how premature growth can lead to operational strain, dilu...

Welcome back to the two-part special about mistakes Ali & Zamir have made during their 20 years of selling on Amazon. This episode contains five common mistakes that a lot of new sellers make when starting out - the importance of buying your own barcodes, the risks associated with discount voucher codes, the necessity of understanding the cost of goods sold, the importance of trademarks, and t...

We all make mistakes, right?! In the first of a two part special, Ali & Zamir share their personal experiences and mistakes made while starting their Amazon businesses 20 years ago. In this episode, hear about the importance of understanding market differences, the significance of good packaging, and the pros and cons of the Amazon Vendor vs.  Marketplace.  The discussion is filled with valuab...