Ecommerce glossary
Plain definitions for the acronyms that run marketplaces.
A+ Content
A+ Content (and Premium A+) lets brand-registered sellers add rich images, comparison charts and brand story modules to listings, lifting conversion. Localize it per marketplace. See the Listing pillar.
ACCS
Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS) converts your overseas payouts to INR. Compare its spread against third-party providers (Payoneer/WISE) — FX leakage is a silent margin drain. See the Export Finance pillar.
ACOS
ACoS = Ad Spend ÷ Ad Sales. Lower is more efficient. On quick commerce, fix in-stock rate and conversion before scaling ads. See the Ads & ROAS module.
Ad Code
An AD (Authorised Dealer) Code is a 14-digit number issued by your bank and registered at each port/courier hub through which you export. Customs will not let your shipment leave without an AD-code-registered bank at that port. Register it before your first inbound to FBA.
BIL
Build International Listings (BIL) is a free Amazon tool that creates and updates offers in target marketplaces from a source marketplace, including auto-translation and rule-based price syncing.
Bigbasket
BigBasket (BB Now / BB Daily) blends scheduled and express grocery delivery. It is assortment + margin led, with a strong subscription (BB Daily) base for repeat staples.
Blinkit
Blinkit (Zomato-owned) is India's largest 10-minute quick commerce platform. Onboarding is brand + assortment led, with a category-buyer relationship gating slots and visibility. Watch fill rate and the platform margin (PM).
Blinkit Margin
Platform margin (PM) is the commission a quick commerce platform takes — typically 18–35% of MRP plus fulfilment and ad costs. Price so net realisation still protects 15–20% margin after PM, returns and ads.
Brand Registry
Amazon Brand Registry requires a registered (or pending, via IP Accelerator) trademark and unlocks A+ Content, Stores, brand analytics and stronger protection against hijackers and counterfeits. See the Brand Protection pillar.
CAC
CAC = Customer Acquisition Cost. Target an LTV:CAC of at least 3:1. See the Finance module.
CE
CE marking declares conformity with EU health, safety and environmental rules for regulated product categories. UKCA is the UK equivalent post-Brexit. See the Compliance pillar.
COGS
COGS = Cost of Goods Sold. Keep net realisation ≥ 2.5× COGS after platform margin to protect margin. See the Pricing module.
Claims
Claims recovery is reconciling deductions — short payments, weight/handling charges, lost-in-transit, and SPD/expiry write-offs — against platform settlements. File within the platform window or the money expires. Often the highest-margin rupee you collect.
Dark Store
A dark store is a hyperlocal micro-warehouse that fulfils 10-minute orders. Your SKUs must be physically stocked in each city's dark store network to be discoverable. Plan PO quantities per dark store, not per platform.
EPR
EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) requires registration for packaging, electronics (WEEE) and batteries in markets like Germany and France before you can list. Missing EPR can block your account. See the Compliance pillar.
Expiry
Expiry and near-expiry write-offs are a top margin leak in quick commerce grocery. Use FEFO (first-expiry-first-out) replenishment and negotiate expiry-return clauses with each platform.
FBA
FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) stores your inventory in the destination country's Amazon warehouses and handles pick, pack, ship, returns and customer service. It wins the Buy Box more easily and qualifies for Prime, but charges destination-currency fulfilment + storage fees. See the Inventory and Logistics pillars.
FDA
FDA registration/clearance may be required for food, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices and certain other products entering the USA. See the Compliance pillar.
FSSAI
FSSAI licensing is mandatory for any food, grocery or beverage SKU on quick commerce. List your FSSAI number on packs and listings — platforms reject food SKUs without it.
Fill Rate
Fill rate is the % of ordered units a dark store actually ships — quick commerce platforms (Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart) penalise low fill rate with delisting. Target 95%+. Replenish before stock hits the city-level safety buffer.
GST
GST compliance is the #1 regulatory risk for Indian sellers — a mistake can freeze payouts. FSSAI is also mandatory for food/grocery SKUs. See the Finance and Onboarding modules.
Hs Code
An HS (Harmonised System) code classifies your product for customs and determines the duty rate. Getting it right avoids overpaying duty and customs delays. See the Logistics pillar.
IEC
IEC (Import Export Code) is a 10-digit code from DGFT, mandatory for any export from India. It is now PAN-based and free/low-cost to obtain online. Without an IEC you cannot legally export or receive export remittances. See the Registration pillar.
IOSS
IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) simplifies EU VAT collection on low-value B2C imports (≤ €150) at the point of sale. See the Compliance pillar.
IPI
IPI (Inventory Performance Index) scores your FBA inventory health; low IPI can trigger storage limits. Keep stock balanced and sell through aged inventory. See the Inventory pillar.
Incoterms
Incoterms (e.g., DDP, DAP, FOB) define who pays and is responsible for freight, insurance, duty and risk at each step of the shipment. DDP means you deliver duty-paid. See the Logistics pillar.
Instamart
Swiggy Instamart fulfils groceries and essentials in minutes via Swiggy's dark store network. Listings are buyer-led; assortment depth and offer funding drive your visibility.
Ip Accelerator
Amazon IP Accelerator connects you to vetted law firms to file a trademark and access Brand Registry benefits before the trademark is fully granted — speeding brand protection. See the Brand Protection pillar.
LTV
LTV = Lifetime Value of a customer. On quick commerce, repeat staples (BB Daily-style) lift LTV fast. Target LTV:CAC ≥ 3:1 (5:1 is excellent).
MFN
MFN (Merchant Fulfilled Network), a.k.a. self-ship, means you ship each order yourself (often from India). Lower upfront cash and no FBA fees, but slower delivery, no Prime badge, and harder ranking. Many sellers test with MFN, then move winners to FBA.
Onboarding
Quick commerce onboarding is assortment-led: you submit a catalog with GST, FSSAI (for food), MRP, and case-pack details, then a category buyer approves SKUs city by city. Get the documents and barcodes right to avoid weeks of delay.
PM
PM (Platform Margin) is the commission quick commerce platforms charge — usually 18–35% of MRP. Add fulfilment + ads and price so your net realisation still holds a 15–20% margin.
ROAS
ROAS = Ad Sales ÷ Ad Spend. On Blinkit/Zepto/Instamart, fix availability and pack rating before scaling ads — a great ad on an out-of-stock SKU just burns budget. Target ROAS above your contribution margin.
Remote Fulfilment
Remote Fulfilment with FBA (and NARF) lets eligible FBA inventory in one country fulfil orders in another (e.g., US stock serving Canada/Mexico) without separate stock — useful for testing demand before committing local inventory.
Rodtep
RoDTEP refunds embedded duties/taxes on exported goods as a transferable credit, improving your cash cycle. Combine with duty drawback where eligible. See the Export Finance pillar.
SEND
Amazon SEND (Ship-from-India / Amazon Global Logistics) is Amazon's managed cross-border freight service that moves your inventory from India into overseas FBA, simplifying freight and customs. See the Logistics pillar.
TACOS
TACOS = Total Ad Spend ÷ Total Sales (ads + organic). Falling TACOS at stable sales signals growing organic strength. See the Advertising pillar.
TCS
TCS = 1% tax collected at source, deducted before payout on every marketplace. Plan working capital for it. See the Finance module.
Trademark
A trademark is mandatory to register your own brand and unlocks faster counterfeit takedowns. See the Brand Protection module.
VAT
VAT (Value Added Tax) applies in the UK and EU. You typically must register for VAT where you store inventory or cross distance-selling thresholds; Amazon often collects and remits marketplace-facilitator VAT, but registration and filing obligations remain yours. See the Compliance and Export Finance pillars.
ZEPTO
Zepto is a 10-minute delivery platform strong in metros. It rewards high in-stock rate and tight pack accuracy. Use Zepto Atom / brand ads to drive trial on new SKUs.