Cross-border e-commerce sellers dealing with bulky goods on Ozon's platform have long faced storage challenges. These oversized items, occupying significant warehouse space with relatively slow turnover rates, can quickly become profit-draining liabilities. Now, Ozon's latest policy changes present both new challenges and potential opportunities for savvy sellers.
Effective April 17, Ozon has implemented major adjustments to its Fulfillment by Ozon (FBO) warehouse policies for large-sized goods (KGT). The most notable change: the free storage period for such items has been dramatically reduced from 90 days to just 30 days. Simultaneously, the free storage period for mistakenly categorized clothing and footwear has been similarly adjusted.
Understanding the Financial Implications
While the shortened free storage period might initially create cost pressures for some sellers, the policy also brings a surprising benefit: storage fees have plummeted from 1.5 rubles per liter per day to just 0.07 rubles per liter per day—a staggering 95% reduction.
This creates a complex financial equation for sellers. Those dealing with slow-moving bulky inventory will need to carefully calculate their storage costs. However, for items like furniture or large appliances that previously incurred high storage fees, the new rate structure might actually result in lower overall costs—provided sellers can optimize their inventory turnover.
Inventory Management: Precision Becomes Paramount
The new regulations elevate inventory management to critical importance. Sellers must now monitor stock levels with unprecedented precision, adjusting replenishment strategies to prevent overstocking. For slow-moving items, decisive action—through promotions or returns—becomes essential to minimize storage costs.
Successful sellers will implement data-driven inventory control, analyzing market trends and sales patterns to maintain optimal stock levels. This requires robust market research, detailed sales analytics, and close coordination with suppliers to align procurement with actual demand.
Logistics: Speed and Efficiency in Harmony
To maximize sales within the 30-day window, logistics optimization becomes crucial. Many sellers will need to evaluate faster shipping options, including expedited delivery services, to reduce transit times and accelerate product availability.
Route optimization and carrier selection also gain importance under the new policy. Sellers should reassess their logistics networks, identifying the most efficient transportation methods and distribution channels. Strengthening partnerships with reliable logistics providers can further enhance delivery speed and accuracy.
Sales Strategies: Multi-Channel Approaches for Maximum Impact
Boosting sales velocity for bulky items requires creative marketing approaches. Strategic promotions—including discounts, bundle deals, and value-added offers—can stimulate demand and accelerate inventory turnover.
Product bundling presents particular opportunities. Combining large items with complementary products (such as furniture with home accessories or appliances with related components) can increase average order values while moving primary inventory more quickly.
Essential Preparations for Ozon Sellers
- Revise inventory strategies: Implement granular inventory management systems for bulky goods, avoiding unnecessary stock accumulation.
- Optimize logistics networks: Select shipping methods that balance speed and cost efficiency to maximize the 30-day window.
- Adapt sales tactics: Leverage promotions and product bundles to stimulate demand for large items.
- Enhance data analytics: Monitor sales patterns closely to make timely adjustments to business strategies.
Ozon's policy changes represent both a test and an opportunity for cross-border sellers. Those who adapt effectively can turn these adjustments into competitive advantages, positioning themselves for growth in an evolving marketplace.