Santa delivers Amazon early this Christmas

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is excited for Amazon’s official arrival in Australia today, as this innovative platform will be a great opportunity for local retailers looking to enlarge their customer base and increase their sales, especially in the lead up to Christmas.

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA said Amazon’s entrance today provides retailers both large and small an additional platform to increase their sales in such a challenging environment during the busiest time of year.

“With over 300 million active users already on Amazon’s Marketplace, the majority of Australian retailers view Amazon’s platform as a supplementary channel to their current retail offering,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Amazon Marketplace will provide local retailers an additional revenue stream, and Amazon’s Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) program will enable Australian retailers to eliminate bottlenecks in their supply chain.”

With the ARA and Roy Morgan Research predicting the ‘Other Retailing’ category, which includes online sales, to increase by 3.96 percent this Christmas, the ARA believe progressive retailers who are already on the Amazon platform are meeting consumer demands.

“Online sales currently account for more than 7 percent of total retail sales, and is growing at 5 percent annually” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With the advancement in digital technologies across the retail sector, we believe online retail sales will account for 13% of total retail sales in the next five years.”

The ARA is delighted Amazon will be a part of Australia’s Christmas trade this year, and believe progressive retailers will re-focus their efforts on their consumers, ensuring their business meets the expectations of the digital age.

“Retail has significantly transformed this year, and will continue to evolve every year; therefore, we encourage retailers across Australia to embrace change, and meet the demands of both consumers and the 24-hour market place,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Amazon’s arrival means many things for Australian retail, it means growth, opportunity, and employment and the ARA look forward to seeing the retail industry thrive in 2018.”

 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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