Amazon Launchpad gives startups and entrepreneurs the ability to tackle one of the biggest challenges they face – bringing a product to market, by enlisting Amazon’s retail expertise and infrastructure to share their stories and grow their businesses.
More than 150 local and international brands are featured on the Australian Amazon Launchpad store at its launch today, from beverages to fashion, children’s toys and skincare.
Brands who are part of the Amazon.com.au Launchpad are essentially a store within the store, with their custom product pages and the ability to tell their brand’s story. Amazon Australia assists with marketing support and access to Amazon’s local fulfilment network including Amazon Prime.
Research commissioned by Amazon Australia, and conducted by AlphaBeta, found that over two-thirds (68%) of small to medium-sized retailers (SMEs) with high-growth aspirations, plan to grow their business through online sales channels, but around one in five (21%) aren’t confident using digital tools.
More than a third (36%) of SMEs see the cost of developing an e-commerce channel as a key barrier to growth, with the same number saying they could not understand and implement digital tools.
Rocco Braeuniger, Country Manager for Amazon Australia, said Australia was renowned for inventors and entrepreneurs creating innovative consumer products from the electric drill right through to Vegemite.
“We’re excited to work with the next generation of local entrepreneurs on bringing their innovative products to millions of customers – from Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits Co, through to sustainable swimwear brand, Salt Gypsy from Byron Bay,” he said.
“We know that product creation is only one part of the equation in launching a product and that marketing, logistics and finding an audience can be just as challenging.
“With Amazon Launchpad, we have a program that will help ease some of these challenges for startups and entrepreneurs alike, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses and freeing up time for future innovation.”
He urged Australians to support the local businesses on the Launchpad website, backed up by the fast delivery service provided by Amazon.com.au.
Australian Made campaign CEO Ben Lazzaro said his organisation was excited by the arrival of Amazon Australia’s Launchpad program.
“It has the potential to provide enormous opportunity for Australian manufacturers looking to leverage Amazon Australia’s growing e-commerce offering and expand their reach while making genuine Aussie products more accessible to consumers,” he said.
One of the Australian startups taking part is Beach House Group, which is behind brands such as the skincare range Marlowe, luggage Beis, oral care range Moon and children’s playhouse kits Antsy Pants.
Beach House Group co-founder Lance Kalish was looking forward to bringing the business home.
“We’ve had huge success in leveraging Amazon Launchpad in the US to grow customer purchases, in part due to the marketing support we receive from the Amazon Launchpad team,” he said.
“We are excited to ‘return home’ and bring our products to Aussies from skincare to stationery via the Australian Launchpad store. With the support of Launchpad, we also have more time to focus on our love of innovation and how we can bring the next big thing to market.”
Rocco Braeuniger said Amazon Launchpad offers startup entrepreneurs an array of services to help accelerate their business, from brand development to customer reach, including merchandised placements, and personalised recommendations, and Amazon’s rapid local fulfilment network.
To learn more about the Amazon Launchpad program or to shop the store, visit www.amazon.com.au/launchpad.
If you’re thinking about going shopping online, Amazon Prime is offering a free 30-day trial of its expedited delivery service here. Around 90% of Prime users have eligible products delivered within two working days. One-day delivery is available in select areas across Australia on eligible Prime items. Details are available here.
This post was written by Simon Thomsen for StartUp Daily and republished here with permission.
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