Scottish SMEs tap into digital advice at Amazon Academy in Edinburgh

HUNDREDS of Scottish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) have tapped into advice on how to grow their businesses at an event hosted in Edinburgh by internet giant Amazon.

The Amazon Academy, which took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) offered start-ups , entrepreneurs and other business owners the chance to attend practical workshops and skills seminars, offering advice on how to capitalise on the growing digital economy.

Representatives from Morphsuits, the fancy dress company, and Trtl, the travel pillow specialist, were among the speakers at the event. The two Scottish companies have built global businesses by selling their wares online.

Speaking after addressing delegates at the Amazon Academy, Morphsuits finance director Graeme Menzies said: “The business started by marketing and advertising on social media, selling on our own websites and through smaller trade sellers. At that stage, retailing ourselves was the best option to get the product off the ground. Latterly, as the business’ complexity increased, retailing through Amazon was a breakthrough moment because it took a lot of the pressure off on the administration and logistics side. All we have to do is keep up with demand and focus on getting the product right.”

Mr Menzies added its partnership with Amazon, through which Morphsuits now generates about 80 per cent of sales, allows the company to “test new markets with very little risk.”

The event also heard from Michael Corrigan, who founded Trtl with David Kellock in 2013. The firm, which offers a new take on the traditional pillow, now turns over nearly £2m, with about 40 per cent of business coming through Amazon.

Mr Corrigan said: “Online is where we needed to be. There’s an unquantifiable level of opportunity online, and it’s a level playing field in that it’s not about who you know.

“If you have a good product at a good price you have a great chance to succeed online.”