Amazon is teaming up with the UK government to support small businesses. It launched the Great British Brands store on Amazon.co.uk. This enables international customers to discover a wide range of items from small UK businesses and artisans, as well as iconic British brands.
The giant e-commerce platform will also allow customers from Singapore, Austria, and Norway to shop for British brands from small companies.
“International customers on Amazon.co.uk come from a wide range of countries. Singapore, Austria, and Norway area among the top sources in countries that don’t have their own Amazon store,” says Amazon.
Interestingly, English Language books remain one of the top products sold by UK sellers. It’s followed by beauty and personal care items, toys, and homeware items also in high demand. The UK government’s minister of exports, Lord Offord, says the new partnership will open doors for small entrepreneurs.
“I am delighted that Amazon is launching its Great British Brands campaign and a dedicated storefront for shoppers worldwide. [They will be able] to access great British products as we celebrate the best of UK business success,” says Offord.
Lessons for small businesses
Amazon is helping small business owners streamline the procurement of their office supplies. It’s also helping them focus on the tasks that matter most to them.
According to Statista, the market value of e-commerce is set to increase drastically over the next few years. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 9.78%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$54.68bn by 2027.
Amazon sellers generated £3.3bn ($4bn) in export sales in 2022. “E-commerce is a powerful enabler for exports. It’s allowing businesses to ‘dip their toe’ in other international markets and learn how to scale up international sales,” says Amazon.
E-commerce exports are a powerful way to help small businesses grow. In partnership with the government, Amazon will help grow the economy and the sector’s market value.
E-commerce Trade Commission
In June this year, a new e-commerce commission was launched. It’s purpose was to advise the UK government and encourage 70,000 small and medium enterprises to trade internationally online.
The E-commerce Trade Commission is advising the business and trade department on how to improve opportunities for entrepreneurs. Part of the commission is big names like Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Google, and Shopify.
The commission was established in line with a recommendation by the Social Market Foundation last year. This was to help boost the economy by £9.3 billion ($12 billion). “People up and down the country buy goods online every single day, supporting British businesses to sell around the globe,” says the minister of international trade, Kemi Badenoch.
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