It’s hard to believe but once upon a time, Amazon was known solely as a bookstore. Late last year, the US retail goliath launched in Australia with much commentary from those within the retail indus-try and fanfare.
Make no mistake: Amazon Australia is just getting started and although it doesn’t yet have the range you may see in the US and UK or the extensive delivery options, it is likely to transform Australia’s retail sector. Retailers have had to adapt with the evolution of the industry over the years and Ama-zon’s arrival into Australia is no different.
This is a game-changing development and the great news for local retailers is that it helps to level the playing field in the retail sector in the following ways.
Smaller retailers now have access to a global community of shoppers instantly
Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world – it gives businesses instant access to millions of shoppers across markets they may not have had exposure to before (the US, UK and Asia for in-stance). It’s arguably the most credible and popular online marketplace, giving retailers with an Amazon store immediate credibility by association.
Amazon opens the door for retailers with limited resources
Maintaining an ecommerce store and keeping up with ever-changing web trends, can be difficult for smaller players. When retailers open an Amazon store, they’re able to tap into the online market-place to drive sales and maximise their bottom line. It’s also worth noting that the platform is re-nowned by shoppers for unusual international or cult products people may discover via blogs, which can be a real asset to niche retailers.
The marketplace is a one stop destination for shoppers
While consumers may not head to Amazon Australia looking for a particular retailer, they may very well stumble across them while searching the site. There are many who shop solely via Amazon and many more (50% of shoppers according to studies out of the US) who go to the marketplace before going elsewhere. Amazon is a great platform to generate new customers and expose your brand to shoppers worldwide.
If you can ship your product to customers in a box, it’s well worth investigating setting up a seller account on Amazon. Doing so can be tricky and getting your products listed in the correct categories even more so. Both are incredibly important so reach out for expert guidance if you need it. For any retailer already operating an ecommerce store, software is available to ensure that sales made via Amazon, sync with your existing site and back of house.
