As we step into the New Year, it’s time to take stock of your brand’s marketplace health and fortify your strategies for sustainable growth in 2025. Marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart offer unparalleled reach, but they also pose significant challenges if your brand protection measures aren’t airtight. Shelley Swallow, our VP of Brand Protection, shares three essential tips to help brands start the year on a strong footing:

1. Take Control of Your Supply Chain

January is the perfect time to audit your supply chain and ensure you’re working only with trustworthy partners. Avoid fulfilling or shipping orders from distributors—both domestic and international—that don’t align with your distribution strategy. Ask for sell-through reports to validate any large orders placed during Q4 or the end-of-year sales season. This proactive approach prevents unauthorized reselling and safeguards your brand’s reputation.

2. Beware of Discount Retailers

The New Year often comes with leftover inventory from Q4. Resist the temptation to offload excess stock to discount retailers, as diverters frequently source from these outlets and flood marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart. These unauthorized listings can undercut your pricing strategy, damage your brand’s equity, and set the wrong tone for your 2025 sales goals.

3. Review Your Pricing Policies

Now’s the time to ensure you fully understand the differences between Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) and Suggested Retail Price (SRP) policies. It’s equally important to review what your brand can legally enforce with retail partners. Misaligned or poorly communicated pricing strategies can lead to marketplace chaos, negatively affecting your revenue and consumer trust.

Start 2025 with a Clear Brand Protection Plan

The New Year is the perfect time to strengthen your brand protection strategy and set the stage for a successful year. Whether you need help navigating pricing policies, controlling your supply chain, or addressing unauthorized resellers, our team at Market Defense is ready to support you.

Let’s connect and discuss how we can help your brand thrive in 2025. Contact us today.