Amazon lays out Aussie plans
US giant shows firms how to reach 300m customers
United States retail giant Amazon has hosted its first Australian Seller Summer offering a glimpse of what operating Down Under could look like for businesses.
The event in Sydney, attended by owners of companies large and small, was a partnership between the Australian Retailers Association ( ARA) and the SME Association of Australia.
Hundreds gathered to hear how Amazon Marketplace could be used to help businesses.
Amazon Australia country manager Rocco Braeuniger said the retailer held the event to educate business owners on how they could take their products to a global audience.
“We are excited to work with many thousands of Australian businesses to help them reach more than 300 million customers around the world and to grow their business,” Braeuniger said.
Amazon Marketplace, an e-commerce platform owned by Amazon.com, enables third-party sellers to sell new or used products alongside Amazon’s regular offerings.
Sales from Amazon Marketplace now represent more than 50 per cent of all items sold globally on Amazon.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said practical advice discussed at the event had been “ex- tremely” insightful for retailers and businesses.
“Amazon’s entry into Australia provides a great opportunity for local retailers to grow their customer base and increase sales,” Zimmerman said.
“It’s time to embrace change and get excited about the future.”
Retail consultant Chris Wilkinson said several New Zealand retailers had also attended the event.
“Unlike many of the large retail chains, Amazon is agile and can be responsive through leveraging technology and the resources of its overseas fulfilment solutions,” he said.
“Big retailers need to emulate this kind of culture and adaptability within their own organisations if they are to be successful.”