Amazon deal of the day: Slash 20% off the sleek Fitbit Inspire 3 | Amznusa.com

The deals are off to a slow start this week at Amazon, but there are still savings to be had. You just have to do a little digging.

If deal hunting isn’t on your résumé, we’ve got you covered. We already did the hard part and scoured the mega retailer’s listings to handpick the deals that are worth your cash on Aug. 12.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, stay tuned this week as we select new deals every day.

Our top pick

The Prime Day 2024 Fitbit deals left a lot to be desired, so we’re pretty pumped to see this deal on the Inspire 3. As a Mashable Choice award winner, we’re big fans of the Inspire 3’s intuitive design, impressive app suite, workout insights, and slim and sleek build. “For anyone new to fitness or any dedicated gym rat, the Fitbit Inspire 3 gets you more than you pay for,” our reviewer writes. As of Aug. 12, you can snag it on sale for just $79.95 instead of its usual $99.95 — that’s 20% in savings and just $10 away from its all-time low.

The Tile Mate typically hovers right around a 30% discount, but as of Aug. 12, it has surpassed its usual savings and dropped to $16.95. While that’s not its lowest price on record, it’s still an impressive 32% in savings on one of our favorite Bluetooth trackers. Attach the Tile Mate to anything you’d rather not lose — your phone, keys, wallet, suitcase, camera bag, tools, etc. Upon testing, we found that these tiny squares excel as Bluetooth item finders for both iOS and Android users. And if you opt into a paid Tile Premium subscription, you can unlock extra features, like notifications when you leave an item behind. Plus, perhaps the best part, you can qualify for item reimbursement if you aren’t able to recover your lost items.

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 offers 360-degree sound with impressive bass for a speaker of its size. It’s also virtually indestructible, thanks to its IP67 waterproof rating and one meter drop protection. Jam out to your favorite tunes for up to 20 hours on a single charge no matter where you are. While we haven’t tested this particular speaker, its pint-sized sibling (the Wonderboom) is one of our absolute favorites. It’s regularly $199.99, but as of Aug. 12, it’s on sale for just $169.99. That’s its first discount since it made its debut in June.

Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable’s publisher, Ziff Davis) tested the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds and found that they “fit securely, deliver strong audio performance, and offer excellent battery life.” They also noted that the buds “ultimately outshine both of Anker’s older top-rated models.” With 50 hours of audio playback, adaptive noise cancellation you can customize in the app, and a fast-charging feature that gives you four extra hours of battery life in 10 minutes, it’s hard to beat these earbuds at full price. On sale, they’re practically a steal. Snag ’em for just $49 as of Aug. 12 — that’s the lowest price they’ve ever been.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon’s daily deals for even more savings.

 Amazon’s best deals of the day on Aug. 12 include the Fitbit Inspire 3, Soundcore Space A40 earbuds, Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, and Tile Mate. 

The Amazon Marketplace: Empowering Sellers and Shaping Consumer Behavior

The Amazon Marketplace has emerged as a powerful force in the global economy, redefining how businesses operate and how consumers shop. Since its launch in 2000, Amazon Marketplace has grown into one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, with millions of sellers and an even larger base of customers. This platform has not only democratized e-commerce, providing opportunities for businesses of all sizes, but it has also significantly influenced consumer behavior. This article explores how the Amazon Marketplace empowers sellers and shapes consumer behavior.

Empowering Sellers: Opportunities and Challenges

The Amazon Marketplace has opened up unprecedented opportunities for sellers, from individual entrepreneurs to large corporations. One of the most significant benefits for sellers is the access to Amazon’s vast customer base. With over 300 million active users globally, Amazon provides a ready-made audience for sellers, eliminating the need for extensive marketing efforts to drive traffic to their products.

Lower Barriers to Entry

One of the most profound ways Amazon empowers sellers is by lowering the barriers to entry into the e-commerce space. Traditionally, setting up an online store required significant investment in website development, payment processing systems, and logistics. Amazon Marketplace simplifies this process by providing a platform where sellers can list their products, handle transactions, and even manage shipping through Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service.

FBA, in particular, has been a game-changer for many small and medium-sized businesses. It allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses, where Amazon takes care of packing, shipping, and even customer service. This service not only reduces the logistical burden on sellers but also ensures that their products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which can significantly boost sales.

Global Reach

The global reach of Amazon Marketplace is another significant advantage for sellers. With Amazon’s presence in numerous countries, sellers can tap into international markets with relative ease. Amazon’s Global Selling program enables sellers to list their products in multiple countries, allowing them to expand their customer base far beyond their home market. This global reach is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have the resources to enter international markets independently.

Data and Analytics

Amazon provides sellers with valuable data and analytics tools that can help them optimize their listings and marketing strategies. Through the Seller Central dashboard, sellers have access to detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and advertising performance. This data-driven approach allows sellers to make informed decisions about pricing, inventory management, and advertising, ultimately leading to better business outcomes.

Challenges for Sellers

However, selling on Amazon is not without its challenges. The competition on the platform is fierce, with millions of sellers vying for the attention of customers. To stand out, sellers must invest in optimizing their product listings, managing reviews, and running targeted advertising campaigns. Additionally, Amazon’s fee structure, which includes referral fees, FBA fees, and other charges, can eat into sellers’ profit margins, especially for those selling low-margin products.

Moreover, Amazon’s control over the marketplace means that sellers are subject to its policies and regulations. This can be a double-edged sword; while Amazon’s strict guidelines help maintain a level of quality and trust on the platform, they can also be restrictive for sellers. Policy changes, such as adjustments to fee structures or new regulations regarding product listings, can have a significant impact on sellers’ businesses.

Shaping Consumer Behavior: Convenience and Choice

The Amazon Marketplace has not only empowered sellers but also transformed consumer behavior in profound ways. The platform has become synonymous with convenience, choice, and competitive pricing, which are key drivers of consumer decisions.

Convenience and Speed

One of the most significant impacts of Amazon on consumer behavior is the expectation of convenience and speed. Amazon’s streamlined shopping experience, coupled with services like Amazon Prime, has set a new standard for online shopping. Consumers now expect fast, often same-day, delivery, easy returns, and a seamless shopping experience across devices. This has raised the bar for other e-commerce platforms and even brick-and-mortar stores, which have had to adapt to meet these heightened expectations.

The convenience offered by Amazon extends beyond just delivery speed. Features like one-click purchasing, personalized recommendations, and a user-friendly mobile app have made shopping on Amazon almost effortless. This ease of use has contributed to the platform becoming the go-to destination for many consumers, particularly for everyday purchases.

Broad Product Selection

Amazon’s vast selection of products is another factor that has shaped consumer behavior. The marketplace offers a seemingly endless array of products across virtually every category, from electronics to groceries. This extensive selection is possible because of the millions of third-party sellers who list their products on the platform, alongside Amazon’s own offerings.

This breadth of choice has shifted consumer expectations, leading to a preference for platforms that offer a wide variety of options. Consumers are now less willing to visit multiple websites or stores to find what they need, preferring the convenience of one-stop shopping. This trend has also put pressure on traditional retailers to expand their product offerings and improve their online shopping experiences.

Price Sensitivity and Competitive Pricing

Amazon’s pricing strategies have also influenced consumer behavior, making customers more price-sensitive. The platform’s dynamic pricing model, where prices can change frequently based on factors like demand and competition, encourages consumers to compare prices and seek out the best deals. Additionally, features like Amazon’s price tracking tools and the ability to view historical prices have made consumers more aware of price fluctuations and more likely to wait for discounts before making a purchase.

This increased price sensitivity has impacted the broader retail landscape, forcing competitors to adopt more aggressive pricing strategies to stay competitive. It has also led to the rise of price comparison tools and apps, further empowering consumers to find the best deals.

The Role of Reviews and Ratings

Amazon’s review system is another key factor influencing consumer behavior. Customer reviews and ratings have become a critical component of the decision-making process for many shoppers. Positive reviews can significantly boost a product’s visibility and sales, while negative reviews can deter potential buyers. This has led to a culture where consumers rely heavily on the experiences of others to guide their purchasing decisions.

The importance of reviews has also created a new challenge for sellers, who must actively manage their reputation on the platform. This has given rise to practices like review solicitation and even, unfortunately, fake reviews. However, Amazon has taken steps to combat these practices, implementing stricter policies and algorithms to detect and remove fraudulent reviews.

Conclusion

The Amazon Marketplace has had a profound impact on both sellers and consumers, reshaping the e-commerce landscape in the process. By empowering sellers with access to a global customer base, powerful data tools, and logistical support, Amazon has lowered the barriers to entry for businesses of all sizes. At the same time, the platform has transformed consumer behavior, setting new standards for convenience, choice, and pricing.

As Amazon continues to evolve, its influence on the global economy and consumer culture will likely only grow. For sellers, the challenge will be to navigate the complexities of the platform and find ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. For consumers, the Amazon Marketplace will continue to be a driving force behind the expectations and behaviors that define the future of shopping.