VIO

VIO is a mechanism in the 1P (vendor) model where the vendor proactively asks Amazon to generate a purchase order.
 Unlike standard POs, which originate from Amazon’s demand forecasting system, a VIO is triggered by the vendor to ensure Amazon has enough inventory for a specific purpose.

When vendors use VIO:

• preparing for major events (Prime Day, T5, T12)
• launching new ASINs or variations
• supporting retail promotions or price reductions
• preventing stockouts during high velocity periods
• managing seasonal demand (Back to School, Q4, etc.)
• correcting low inventory caused by inaccurate forecasting

How VIO works:

• vendor requests a PO through their Amazon retail contact or Vendor Central tools
• vendor specifies the ASINs and quantities
• Amazon reviews demand, capacity, lead time, and profitability
• if approved, Amazon issues the formal purchase order
• vendor ships the inventory under standard VC processes

Factors Amazon considers before approving a VIO:

• current in stock rate
• recent sales and forecasted demand
• vendor reliability and VCR
• FC capacity and network placement
• retail profitability and margin structure
• event relevance and timing

Benefits for vendors:

• greater control over inventory availability
• ability to secure stock for promotional campaigns
• reduced risk of out of stock during key events
• improved sales velocity and Buy Box stability

Benefits for Amazon:

• better network preparation for demand spikes
• reduced OOS rates
• higher customer satisfaction
• smoother forecasting adjustments

Example:
Before Prime Day, a vendor sees strong momentum on a kitchen appliance and requests a VIO for 4,000 extra units.
Amazon reviews demand projections, approves the request, and issues a purchase order to ensure adequate stock coverage.

Why It Matters:
VIO helps vendors influence inventory decisions when demand is expected to exceed Amazon’s forecast, ensuring strong availability for high impact events and promotions.

In short:
VIO (Vendor Initiated Order) is a vendor requested purchase order used to secure additional inventory for promotions, events, or anticipated demand surges.