SMART Business Solutions was pleased to host a breakfast event this week on the topic of how can retailers thrive with Amazon coming. An entertaining and engaging speaker Craig Bass from VendHQ kept the crowd focused as he shared his international experience with Amazon, his experience of Aussie retail, and how he believes Aussie retail can thrive with Amazon arriving on our shores.
Small business on the Mornington Peninsula is the biggest employer of our workforce, and far exceeds any other region in Victoria with of the importance the small business community to the local economy. Many would say small business is the backbone of the Mornington Peninsula economy. Retail employment makes up 16% of all jobs on the Mornington Peninsula. With Amazon’s plans to open its first Australian warehouse in Dandenong what does that mean for our Mornington Peninsula small business?
We are all seeing the media headlines ‘Amazon is coming’, ‘Retailers beware’, ‘The end of small business retail’ but is this really the case? Should we all pack up now and roll over with Amazon coming, or what can we do to acknowledge the change is coming, and what can we do today, to better position our retail businesses for this future market place. The crowd were madly taking notes with some real, what you don’t read in the media insights on the expected impact of Amazon and what you can do today, to prepare yourself. I too took many notes and are happy to share these with you!
So, what is Amazon?
Amazon started as an online book store but today many would call Amazon a logistics business as this is at the heart of what they do. What is Amazon?
What is the expected impact to Australian retail?
How can Small Business use Amazon you their advantage?
The good news is that the arrival of Amazon will absolutely accelerate the take up of online shopping in Australia, and your business can benefit from that by:
What is Omnichannel Retail?
It’s letting your customers shop across physical and digital channels, so they can seamlessly interact with you in-store, online, or on their mobile devices.
Amazon is going to drastically raise Australian consumer's perception of online shopping. A study of 46,000 shoppers found that:
How can we help?
SMART Business Solutions can assist you with implementing your omnichannel. This can be a combination of Vend POS software, Shopify for online retail and Xero for your accounting system providing
SMART Business Solutions are experts in implementation of cloud based business software and providing one on one training so you get the most out of your investment.
So yes, Amazon is coming, but if you get your business online and ready now, Amazon will just become another option for you and not a threat to your business.
Call us today to learn how we can help you get your business online and ready to compete with Amazon.
Want to grow your business & improve cash flow?
You need SMART solutions for YOUR business, not just annual tax compliance! Get the SMART team working with you. Call SMART Business Solutions today on 03 5911 7000 or reception@smartbusinesssolutions.com.au.
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