Amazon's Strategic Account Services Program Benchmarks

What is Amazon SAS Core?

Amazon Strategic Account Services Core (SAS Core), previously known as Strategic Vendor Services (SVS) and Amazon Vendor Services (AVS) is an exclusive program designed to provide dedicated support and resources to brands and sellers on the Amazon platform. It offers a range of services tailored to assist businesses in enhancing their presence, optimizing sales strategies, and maximizing growth potential within the Amazon ecosystem.

Amazon SAS Program Value

While this program sounds promising for those who have struggled with Amazon solutions and support, the service is expensive and can be quite an investment for some brands.

Our partners at Cleveland Research Company benchmarked manufacturers and companies currently using the program to understand its value, ROI, and how this resource is being utilized. We hope this information will help other brands currently considering the program to determine if the SAS program is worth the investment.

With Amazon making the adoption of its SAS program a concentrated effort, it has become a focal point throughout annual vendor negotiations (AVNs) with their brands. Based on benchmarking research done by CRC, as of January 2021, 44% of respondents currently were enrolled in the SAS program.

Benefits and Potential Drawbacks of the SAS Program

With SAS, one advantage is the access to a designated Amazon Account Manager, an advisor who can provide advice in various areas (think: inventory, branding, conversion, and profitability), connect brands with other Amazon teams as needed, troubleshoot support to assist with pain points, listing and new item setup, and consultation for evolution and growth of your business.

In CRC’s benchmarking research, it was noted that promotional execution and coordination & execution with vendor manager provided the most useful areas of the SAS resource. However, paid ad campaign support, A+ content optimization and enhanced customer insights showed as least valuable pieces of the SAS program.

Enrollment Process for Amazon SAS Core

Enrolling in Amazon SAS Core typically involves initiating contact with Amazon's support channels or being invited to join the program based on eligibility criteria. Interested businesses can reach out to Amazon's Seller Support to explore eligibility requirements and start the enrollment process. The process may involve a review of the seller's performance metrics, sales history, and adherence to Amazon's policies.

Would You Opt for Strategic Account Services on Amazon?

The decision to enroll in Amazon SAS Core is multifaceted and depends on several factors. Businesses should assess their specific goals, available budget, and the need for specialized assistance. It's crucial to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis considering the program's fees against the expected benefits and support offered. Additionally, evaluating the alignment of the program's offerings with the business's long-term objectives is essential before making a decision.

Leveraging SAS for Success

To ensure positive results when investing in this program, incorporating these best practices has shown to increase the value of the overall program.

• Set Clear and Realistic Expectations: Discuss realistic expectations for this program in advance, so any insufficient results can be communicated directly, and a solution can be proposed.
• Identify and Measure KPIs: Creating a scorecard to assess the ongoing unique values that the SAS program is bringing to the brand is an opportunity for communicating objectives and measuring results.
• Consistent Communication & Relationship Building: Think of the SAS resource and Account Manager as an extension of your own team. Providing onboarding and maintaining consistent communication is key in the success of the SAS resource.

Amazon SAS Core equips brands and sellers with crucial support and resources to navigate the competitive Amazon marketplace effectively. The program aims to empower businesses to thrive, yet the decision to enroll should be made after a comprehensive evaluation of its offerings, costs, and alignment with the business's growth strategies and goals.

If you need help with your Amazon account or want to delve deeper into this topic, schedule a consultation with our team to discover how Blue Wheel can assist in achieving your marketplace goals. Our dedicated full marketplace management team is here to address all your needs and provide the relevant information you're seeking.