How to Handle Stranded Inventory on Amazon

Would you ever get a store rental and forget you have it, consistently pouring money down the drain?

This scenario might sound ridiculous, but it’s how stranded inventory can drain your budget. Ironically, though, it’s usually overlooked by manyAmazon FBA sellers.

A survey found that the top priorities for inventory management software users include inventory control and product identification.

These numbers tell a clear story: sellers who treat inventory as an afterthought are leaving money on the table. It goes without saying that stranded inventory is often the result of weak inventory control, poor product tracking, or gaps in optimization.

let’s discuss how exactly inventory gets stranded. We’ll also tackle how to find and relist Amazon stranded inventory and look at strategies to prevent it in the first place.

 

What is Stranded Inventory on Amazon?

Stranded inventory refers to FBA products sitting in Amazon’s fulfillment centers that are no longer connected to an active listing. In short, they’re unsellable—not because they’re damaged or expired, but because shoppers can’t find them on the marketplace. 

Your stock is there, but it’s invisible. And while it waits to be fixed, it racks up storage fees and drags down your performance metrics.

Amazon tracks your ability to manage inventory efficiently through the Inventory Performance Index (IPI). A high amount of stranded inventory signals poor listing health and can reduce your IPI score. 

As seen in the screenshot above, among the influencing factors for IPI is stranded inventory.

Now, why should a seller aim for a high IPI? Simple – Amazon uses this metric to determine how much storage space you’re allowed. Amazon may impose tighter storage limits and increased fees on sellers with lower scores.

For growing sellers, avoiding stranded inventory is essential to smart inventory planning. You’re not just managing how much to stock—you’re ensuring every unit you send to Amazon is ready to sell. After all, there’s no point in having inventory that can’t be bought.

Related content: Dead Stock Solutions

 

​​Why Inventory Gets Stranded

Understanding the most common Amazon inventory stranded reasons can help you take action before your sellable stock turns into costly deadweight.

• Listing errors or removal. If a product listing is deleted, suppressed, or violates Amazon’s policies, the inventory attached to it becomes stranded.
• Pricing violations. Setting a price outside Amazon’s acceptable range (too low or suspiciously high) can deactivate a listing, leaving your inventory stuck.
• ASIN or SKU mismatches. If there’s a disconnect between the product in Amazon’s system and your listing, the inventory can’t be linked properly and won’t appear for sale.
• Missing required information. Listings missing condition type, product category, or other key fields may be blocked from going live.
• Brand gating or restrictions. Some products require brand approval to sell. If you’re not authorized, Amazon won’t connect the listing to your inventory.
• Restricted or expired items. Items past their expiration date or those that violate Amazon’s restricted product policies automatically become stranded.
• FBM to FBA switch errors. Accidentally changing fulfillment settings from FBA to FBM can leave inventory with no live listing to support it.

 

Stranded inventory is also closely tied to excess inventory management. If you’re sending too much stock without confirming listing health, you increase the risk of it becoming stuck. 

 

How to Locate Stranded Inventory in Amazon Seller Central

It’s not hard to monitor and manage stranded inventory directly from the Seller Central dashboard. The key is knowing where to look and checking regularly before fees add up.

Here’s how to find your stranded units:

1. Log in to Seller Central.
2. Go to Inventory > Manage Inventory.
3. From the top menu, click “Inventory Dashboard.”
4. Under the “Inventory” tab, find and click “Fix Stranded Inventory.” 

 

This will bring up a detailed list of your stranded inventory, along with the specific reason each unit is stranded, such as listing errors, pricing violations, or ASIN mismatches.

You can also download the Stranded Inventory Report by doing these steps:

1. Go to Reports. Then, navigate to Fulfillment. Here, you can click Inventory Reports.
2. In the dropdown menu, click Stranded Inventory Report.
3. Select “Request Report.” After which, get the CSV file by downloading.

 

These tools let you see stranded SKUs in bulk, making it easier to spot patterns and take action across multiple listings.

• Pro Tip. Schedule a regular check—at least once per week—to stay on top of stranded inventory issues. Amazon doesn’t always notify you automatically, and delays could cost you in storage fees and lost sales.

 

Related content: Amazon Reports You Should Know

 

How to Fix Stranded Inventory on Amazon

If you’re looking for how to relist stranded inventory, below are the most effective ways to do so:

 

Relist the Item Manually

This could be the simplest stranded inventory Amazon FBA fix. Many times, listings are stranded simply because of incomplete data. Relisting restores product visibility and allows customers to purchase again.

Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Go to Inventory. Then, click Manage Inventory. In the options, find and select Fix Stranded Inventory. 
2. Select the affected SKU, click “Relist”, and fill in any missing or required information (e.g., condition, price, or product ID).

 

• Actionable tip. Double-check that your price is within Amazon’s fair pricing guidelines. Add condition notes if you’re selling used or refurbished items to avoid suppression.

 

Edit the Product Listing

Stranded inventory due to listing issues can delay sales for days or weeks. Updating fields ensures your product meets Amazon’s listing compliance rules.

Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Navigate to the stranded inventory page, click “Edit” next to the affected SKU.
2. Update the listing fields that triggered the error, often brand name, product title, or required attributes.

 

• Actionable tip. Use Amazon’s Listing Quality Dashboard to proactively identify missing or poor-quality data before a listing becomes stranded. Doing so can also help improve discovery when shoppers filter their search.

Correct SKU or ASIN Mismatches

Amazon’s system relies heavily on ASIN-SKU relationships. A mismatch means the product can’t be listed or sold, making this a common reason for stranded inventory. If your product is connected to the wrong ASIN or SKU, you’ll need to match it manually.

Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Either create a new listing, or
2. Update the product ID in Seller Central to correctly link the inventory to a valid ASIN.

 

• Actionable tip. Maintain a SKU-ASIN tracking sheet to prevent future mismatches when listing new products or bundling items.

 

Request Category or Brand Approval

“Gated” brands or categories aree only open to approved sellers. Failing to get approval will prevent your listings from going live, leaving your inventory unsellable.

To request category or brand approval, do these steps:

1. Go to Catalog > Add a Product, search for the item, and click “Listing limitations apply”
2. Follow the prompts to upload invoices, images, or authorization letters as required.

 

• Actionable tip. Start the approval process before sending inventory to Amazon, especially for products in Health, Beauty, and Grocery.

 

Strategies to Prevent Inventory Stranding

Here are a few ways you can prevent stranded inventory in the first place:

 

Audit Your Listings Regularly

Check your active listings for missing data, suppressed listings, or warnings. Amazon sometimes flags listings for minor issues like image resolution or title formatting. which can eventually lead to stock stranding or removal.

• Best practice. Partner with professionals who specialize in listing optimization, FBA logistics, and stranded inventory prevention. AMZ Advisers can help you proactively audit your listings, manage your FBA strategy, and ensure your products stay live and visible.

 

Use Stock Management Tools to Track Inventory Health

Stock management tools help you monitor SKUs, fulfillment statuses, and listing changes across all your FBA inventory.

That said, they might be useful to you as you scale, given that manual tracking can quickly become unsustainable as your catalog grows. Tools give you real-time visibility and alert you when something needs attention.

And the numbers back this up. Data states that the global warehouse management system market is projected to grow at a 19.9% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2030.

The surge in software adoption signals a rising demand for tools that help sellers gain real-time inventory visibility, automation, and efficiency.

• Best practice. Choose a tool that integrates with Seller Central and flags potential issues like suppressed listings or ASIN mismatches.

 

Verify Listings Before Sending Inventory to FBA

If the listing is missing required info or falls under a gated category, your items could be stranded the moment they arrive at Amazon’s warehouse.

Before creating a shipment, double-check that your listing is live, has no category restrictions, and matches the inventory you’re sending.

• Best practice. Create a pre-shipment checklist that includes listing status, condition type, pricing compliance and ASIN accuracy.

 

Stay Ahead of Stranded Inventory

Left unresolved, stranded inventory can kill your revenue. Not only does it drive up your fees and hurt your IPI, but most importantly, it keeps your products from reaching your customers.

Fortunately, once you understand how stranded inventory happens, it becomes much easier to avoid. With regular listing audits, smarter stock management tools, and proactive practices, you can stay ahead of the problem.

 

Author

Carla Bauto Deña is a journalist and content writer producing stories for traditional and digital media. She believes in empowering small businesses with the help of innovative solutions, such as ecommerce and digital marketing.

The post How to Handle Stranded Inventory on Amazon appeared first on AMZ Advisers.

Amazon Luxury Elevates High Fashion

Many shoppers know and love Amazon for its household staples and fast shipping. But the marketplace is now proving its ecommerce versatility with Amazon Luxury Stores.

But can designer gowns, signature bags, and high-end fragrances really sell out in the same marketplace shoppers go to for laundry detergents, lip balm, and paper towels? 

And more importantly, what does Amazon Luxury mean for smaller sellers, and how can one compete with world-renowned designer brands? We’ll unpack all that and tackle strategies on how sellers can compete with luxury retailers.

 

What is Amazon Luxury Stores?

Amazon Luxury Stores is a premium, invite-only platform where established and emerging luxury brands can showcase their collections with full control over content, pricing, and branding.

Data reveals that the global luxury goods market has consistently grown over the past years. The luxury goods industry is projected to grow at a steady annual rate of 3.7%, with market value expected to hit $383.3 billion by 2025 and rise to approximately $487.6 billion by 2032.

With these numbers in mind, Amazon Luxury is the marketplace’s answer to the evolving demand for high-end fashion online. 

Launched in 2020 and continuously evolving, Amazon Luxury allows customers to browse Luxury fashion on Amazon with the same ease as restocking pantry items, but with brand-curated elements like:

• Editorial imagery
• Enhanced videos
• 360-degree views

 

One of the most significant milestones for the platform came in 2025 with the launch of Saks on Amazon. It’s a dedicated storefront under the Amazon Fashion store umbrella. 

Through this collaboration, Amazon gave its customers direct access to designer labels carried by Saks Fifth Avenue, while Saks retained control over the digital shopping experience.

 

How Does Amazon Luxury Work?

At its core, Luxury stores operate like a digital extension of a high-end boutique but with the logistics muscle and reach of one of the world’s largest ecommerce platforms. 

It’s designed to give luxury brands on Amazon complete authority over their branding and store management. Participating labels do not need to blend into the broader Amazon marketplace but can have capabilities like:

• Designing branded storefront
• Choosing which items to feature
• Setting own prices
• Managing inventory

Unlike standard listings, every Luxury store doesn’t just sell, but curates. The focus is on delivering designer fashion online through an experience that’s visually immersive and brand-authentic. 

How do Luxury brands do this? Amazon Luxury storefronts mirror the brands’ websites, offering shoppers curated content, including:

• Auto-play videos
• Interactive lookbooks
• Detailed product pages

 

With Amazon’s strict vetting process and invite-only approach, these stores create a secure space where buyers can shop without fear of counterfeit brands—a major concern in the online luxury fashion space.

After all, data reveals that the value of confiscated counterfeit products in the U.S. reached $1.3 billion in 2020, with more than half of the value of products being luxury items like watches, jewelry, handbags, and wallets.

Aside from the assurance of buying authentic luxury products, Amazon Luxury also offers fast shipping and customer service, resulting in a polished, premium shopping experience.

Why are Luxury Brands Joining Amazon?

Here’s why more designer brands are making the leap to offer their products on the world’s most popular ecommerce marketplace through Amazon Luxury:

• Brand Control and Customization. Amazon Luxury Stores let brands design their own pages. From product imagery to layout, they can be sure that every detail aligns with their aesthetic.
• Trusted Fulfillment and Returns. Amazon’s strong logistics network enables luxury items to be delivered within one to two days. At the same time, their return policies offer peace of mind to cautious buyers.
• Counterfeit Protection. Through Project Zero, Amazon empowers brands to proactively detect and remove counterfeit listings. For luxury labels that have battled knockoffs for decades, this level of control is a game changer.
• Data-Driven Insights. Amazon’s backend provides detailed customer analytics, giving brands real-time data to refine inventory, pricing, and marketing strategies, without relying on a third-party retailer.
• Access to Millions of Engaged Shoppers. Amazon has one of the most extensive customer bases worldwide. In fact, the marketplace earned $438 billion in net sales in 2024 alone.

With Amazon, Luxury brands gain exposure to high-spending members who expect convenience alongside exclusivity.

 

How Brands Can Use Amazon to Sell Luxury Fashion

Here’s how luxury brands can leverage Amazon Luxury to broaden their audience:

• Apply to Amazon Luxury Stores. Only select brands are invited or approved to join. Once accepted, labels can create a unique storefront that mirrors the elegance of their own website.
• Design a Branded Experience. Brands can upload custom visuals, videos, and layout elements to curate a premium experience. The content is exclusive and managed entirely by the brand, not Amazon.
• Leverage Amazon Prime Luxury Shopping. Products enrolled in Amazon Luxury are eligible for Prime benefits like fast shipping, exclusive access, and seamless checkout.
• Use Brand Analytics. With tools like Brand Analytics, sellers can test messaging, understand their customer base, and tailor their luxury positioning for better results.
• Protect Product Integrity. Amazon provides features like serialization and Project Zero to help luxury brands detect and remove unauthorized or counterfeit listings.

 

Seller Strategies to Compete with Big High-End Retailers

Competing in a luxury fashion marketplace that includes brands like Oscar de la Renta and Balmain might sound intimidating, but it’s not impossible. 

Here are strategies that independent sellers or boutique labels can implement to carve out space and compete with bigger brands on Amazon.

 

Craft a Premium Product Experience

You don’t need a designer label to make a strong first impression and offer a luxury shopping experience. Packaging, product photography, and post-purchase care all play a role in elevating your brand image.

For instance, a boutique leather goods brand can use textured gift boxes, personalized thank-you cards, and tissue wrapping to emulate the unboxing experience of luxury retailers.

• Best Practice. Treat every touchpoint—from product listing to packaging—as part of your luxury identity.

 

Leverage Amazon Prime Luxury Shopping Perks

Another strategy is to offer Prime-eligible products to compete on delivery speed and convenience. After all, Prime customers expect quick shipping, and luxury buyers are no exception.

For example, a jewelry brand might use Amazon FBA to offer quick delivery, easy returns, and increased exposure through the Prime badge.

• Best Practice. Enroll in FBA to give your luxury listings that Prime edge. After all, Prime could also boost conversion rates.

 

Tell a Brand Story That Resonates

In a space crowded with household names, your story becomes your edge. Lean into your origin, process, or sustainability values to create emotional appeal.

For instance, a handmade silk scarf brand could emphasize its heritage craft and slow fashion ethics in its A+ Content. Doing so can help it shine above all other generic scarves on the marketplace.

• Best Practice. Highlight your mission, artisanal quality, or ethical practices using enhanced brand content. Buyers often purchase based on values, not just logos.

 

Guarantee Authenticity Through a Trademark Registry

A trademark registry protects your listings and gives you tools to report copycats and enforce your brand standards. That said, applying for a trademark early is a must to safeguard your designs and reputation.

• Best Practice. Partner with Amazon experts like AMZ Advisers to know how to protect your business, accelerate growth, and avoid common pitfalls. AMZ Advisers’ consultants specialize in helping brands stand out and could help you compete confidently against legacy brands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What luxury brands are on Amazon?

Amazon Luxury Stores offer a specially curated range of upscale brands, such as Oscar de la Renta and Hervé Léger. Through the Saks on Amazon storefront, shoppers can also access collections from Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Ganni, and more. 

Additionally, pre-owned luxury items from renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Chanel are available through trusted resellers.

 

Is Amazon Luxury Store legit?

Yes, Amazon Luxury Stores are legitimate and offer authentic products. Brands control their storefronts, ensuring product authenticity and brand integrity.

 

Did Amazon buy Saks?

No, Amazon did not acquire Saks. However, Amazon invested in Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, supporting its acquisition of Neiman Marcus. This collaboration resulted in the debut of the Saks on Amazon store, broadening the platform’s luxury selection.

 

Is Amazon Luxury the Future of High-End Shopping?

The rise of Amazon Luxury is transforming how we define luxury in the digital age. What was once confined to posh showrooms and high-end exclusivity is now available with the ease, speed, and trust of Amazon.

For Amazon sellers, it’s a challenge worth rising to: crafting authentic, premium experiences that rival even the most iconic fashion houses. 

Whether you’re a boutique designer or a rising brand looking to enter the luxury fashion marketplace, Amazon now offers the infrastructure to deliver high-end value to a broader, global audience.

 

Author

Carla Bauto Deña is a journalist and content writer producing stories for traditional and digital media. She believes in empowering small businesses with the help of innovative solutions, such as ecommerce and digital marketing.

The post Amazon Luxury Elevates High Fashion appeared first on AMZ Advisers.

New to AMZ | Boost Your Amazon Management

Want to start selling on Amazon? This is the right place for you. Our New to AMZ program will help you kickstart your Amazon management by launching your brand the right way — without burning your budget.

Launching on Amazon can be a lucrative ordeal or a costly experiment, depending on how you approach it. The retail giant offers a chance to scale visibility, sales, and reputation. But fostering your Amazon management is not only about listing products and waiting for customer orders.

That’s where our New to AMZ program comes in!

 

What is New to AMZ?

AMZ Advisers build this program for brands launching for the first time, startups making Amazon part of their go-to-market strategy, or businesses looking to reboot their Amazon strategy.

As a full-service Amazon consultant, we’ve helped over 300 brands get started on Amazon, reaching an average of $50,000/month in their first year. 

With a proven step-by-step approach, hands-on execution, and data-backed insights, we launch brands for sustainable growth — not just short-term wins.

 

Why Most Amazon Launches Fail

We’ve seen to many brands enter Amazon without a clear strategy, and that’s only a recipe for frustration. Most new sellers struggle with: 

• Non-compliant listings that get flagged or suspended
• Inefficient PPC campaigns that waste ad dollars
• Misaligned expectations on pricing and positioning
• Poor review acquisition and low conversion rates
• Operational inefficiencies with inventory or customer experience

 

Amazon has a different buyer journey than your average retail business. It’s driven by algorithmic visibility, consumer trust, and product-market fit. Proper Amazon management and success demand a specialized, agile approach.

 

Who is New to AMZ For?

The New to AMZ Program is based on hundreds of brand and product launches, and years of Amazon management expertise. Our goal isn’t just to help you “go live”—we help you go live profitably and sustainably. 

Here’s who’ll benefit from this program:

• Brand owners launching on Amazon for the first time.
• Startups making Amazon growth a key part of their launch strategy.
• Businesses relaunching on Amazon to achieve better, consistent results.
• Teams that need expert setup, product listing optimization, and go-to-market planning.
• Companies looking for a low-risk, high-performance launch solution.

 

New to AMZ is tailor-made for founders, marketers, and operations leads at emerging brands who are:

• Selling successfully through DTC, retail, or wholesale.
• Looking to enter the Amazon ecosystem strategically.
• Ready to invest at least $10,000 into launching right.

 

We don’t just set things up—we execute alongside you, so you’re not alone at any step of the launch.

Who is This NOT For

New to AMZ is not a low-effort, low-investment plug-and-play solution. It’s built for brands ready to commit to Amazon as a serious channel. If you’re hoping to “try Amazon out” with a leftover SKU or without a clear budget, this isn’t the program for you.

 

What New to AMZ Delivers

Our Amazon consulting agency works hand-in-hand with you to build the Amazon management foundations that actually lead to long-term success. This is not a plug-and-play formula—it’s a tailored strategy designed for your product, category, and competitive landscape.

 

Go-to-Market Strategy

• Category and competitor benchmarking to position your offer.
• Product and keyword research to uncover high-opportunity segments.
• Launch timeline, pricing structure, and Amazon Brand Registry guidance.

 

Listing Development

• SEO-optimized titles, bullet points, and backend keywords.
• A+ Content and brand storefront development that convert traffic.
• Product image guidance based on top-performing competitors and buyer psychology.

 

Launch Execution

• Review acquisition strategy that complies with Amazon’s TOS.
• Full-funnel PPC campaign setup for awareness and conversion.
• Ongoing performance monitoring and listing iteration.

 

Operational Readiness

• FBA setup and inventory shipment support
• Account health and compliance oversight
• Customer service automation and review moderation tools

 

About AMZ Advisers

We offer complete Amazon management services to our clients. Since 2014, we’ve dedicated helping private label sellers and manufacturers achieve significant growth across Amazon in North America, Europe, and Asia.

We don’t offer one-size-fits-all Amazon management. Instead, we built our Accelerator program, New to AMZ and Global Expansion funnel to guide you through the biggest growth stages your brand will face in its success journey.

As of 2025, we operate in over 20 Amazon marketplaces worldwide, even specializing in marketplaces like Walmart and MercadoLibre. Our suit of tools is powered up by +45 professionals who ensure a hands-on approach to your Amazon growth. 

Authors

Esteban Muñoz is a writer, editor and content manager with several years’ experience in ecommerce and digital marketing. Over the years, he’s been able to help his associates grow by optimizing and creating in-depth content marketing strategies.

Jose Mena is the Growth Marketing Manager at AMZ Advisers. He focuses on developing and optimizing performance-driven strategies across sales, marketing, and operations to drive the company’s growth.

The post New to AMZ | Boost Your Amazon Management appeared first on AMZ Advisers.

Looking for some advice, new seller + buybox

submitted by /u/Pixel_Mason
[link] [comments]

Finally stepped out of my comfort zone

submitted by /u/deliverydadd
[link] [comments]

Looking for some advice, new seller + buybox

submitted by /u/Pixel_Mason
[link] [comments]

Finally stepped out of my comfort zone

submitted by /u/deliverydadd
[link] [comments]

Competitive external price is less than yours

submitted by /u/Substantial-Cycle527
[link] [comments]

Competitive external price is less than yours

submitted by /u/Substantial-Cycle527
[link] [comments]

Delayed shipment by 1 or 2 months

submitted by /u/zlliwz
[link] [comments]