Amazon helps spark small companies

SUPPLIERS and retailers in Derbyshire and Leicestershire exported more than £100 million of goods through Amazon in the past year.

The 2020 Amazon UK SME Impact Report suggests Leicestershire was also in the top 10 regions for SMEs selling through Amazon in the 12 months to May, at more than 1,000 businesses.

More than 500 Derbyshire SMEs exported products through its overseas channels, up more than 20 per cent on the previous year.

In total, 800 Derbyshire SMEs made sales through Amazon last year at home and overseas, also up 20 per cent year-on-year.

Amazon said UK small businesses sold 600 million products on its platforms globally, up 100 million. Each of those businesses, Amazon said, made average sales of around £75,000 – up from about £60,000 year-onyear – and supported around 85,000 jobs.

It said: “Despite the impact Covid-19 has had on small businesses, many SMEs working with Amazon have been able to grow. From March to July 2020, SMEs accounted for more than 60 per cent of sales on Amazon’s stores.

“Many selling partners are located outside London – areas such as the North of England and the Midlands generated more than 40 per cent of total sales volume, while Greater Manchester and the West Midlands respectively achieved more than £250 million and £150 million in export sales last year.”

Francois Saugier, VP for EU seller services at Amazon, said: “Despite this challenging period, selling partners have continued to grow with Amazon.”