We know that Amazon is a massive global marketplace with more than 300 million active customers in more than 180 countries around the world. But did you know that small businesses now account for more than half of the unit sales on its sites around the world?
Amazon today announced that small businesses and entrepreneurs on Amazon sold more than 2 billion items in a record-breaking first half of 2017. And the revenue and job-creation figures for those sellers are pretty impressive.
Begun in 2000, Amazon Marketplace is the the division which enables small businesses to sell on Amazon. Peter Faricy, Vice President for Amazon Marketplace welcomed the latest figures.
“We love hearing the stories from these small business owners who are able to quit their day jobs to sell on Amazon full-time, hire more employees to grow their business, and, in many cases, start other businesses – it’s very energizing for Amazonians to know that the technology we are building is helping so many people pursue their dreams.”
Facts about the Amazon Marketplace:
- Amazon has 11 marketplaces around the world for small businesses and entrepreneurs to reach customers.
- More than half of the items sold on Amazon worldwide are from small businesses and entrepreneurs that offer their products through Amazon Marketplace, many of whom also choose to use Fulfillment by Amazon as a way of making their items Prime eligible.
- More than 100,000 entrepreneurs achieved over $100,000 in sales selling on Amazon in 2016.
- According to an Amazon economic study, sellers have created over 600,000 new jobs outside of Amazon.
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs selling on Amazon come from every state in the U.S., and from more than 130 different countries around the world.
- Amazon sellers fulfilled orders to customers in 185 countries in 2016.
- The Prime Day 2017 event grew by more than 60 percent over last year – sales growth by small businesses and entrepreneurs was even higher.
“Being able to sell on Amazon has been paramount in driving massive amounts of sales and customer visibility, allowing us to build brand awareness where customers shop,” said Kelly Fedio, founder of One Savvy Life, based in Redondo Beach, Calif. “Since we started in 2014, we have successfully introduced several products to customers on Amazon, including our original best-selling infusion water bottle. Amazon has played an instrumental role in helping us launch our small business and grow into an enduring brand.”
Amazon has collected stories of small business owners who are selling online at Transformations.
Related news: Irish consumers are the second most confident in EU about online shopping.
About the Author: Conn Ó Muíneacháin
