An initiative that began as an Instagram page in mid-March as the COVID-19 crisis gripped the economy has been expanded to launch this week as the first online marketplace for Australian-made goods from Australian-owned businesses.
The popularity of the Instagram page among those stuck at home who showed an eagerness to “shop Australian” made it a favourite online shopping destination among Australians. This persuaded the page’s founder to undertake a captial raising campaign in May which has funded the Buy Aussie Now marketplace.
The website will host the products of over 2000 small and medium businesses across eight initial categories: home and living; toys and education; apparel and footwear; jewellery and accessories; food and beverages; pets; skincare and beauty; and gifts. Additional categories will be unveiled in the coming months. Gift cards and a rewards and loyalty program are also in the works.
The marketplace will also hold an Instagram Live session every Thursday night featuring entrepreneurs and small businesses showcasing their products or services.
Founder and Managing Director Mitch Catlin is excited about this Australian-first concept.
“My business, like many other Aussies, was hit badly in late March when the marketing sector pretty much came to a standstill,” Catlin said. “I turned to creating a community of other businesses who were stressed and anxious, and I was just so overwhelmed with the number of Aussies who needed help and mateship during a tough time. Thousands of people were, and still are, worried for their livelihoods. This is how Buy Aussie Now was born.
“I think the thing that surprised me most over the past few months is just how much wonderful product is made at home but many of us simply don’t know about it,” Catlin added.
The marketplace’s CEO, Chris White, is proud to have helped bring the concept to life.
“We want shopping Australian to be a longer-term switch for this country,” White said. “Let’s always make Aussies brands, business and products our first thought every time we shop and not just during difficult periods. This will support the nation, families, friends and local communities and keep jobs and investment here.”
Businesses can register free of charge to feature their products on the Buy Aussie Now website, and will only be charged a transaction fee of up to eight per cent when they make sale, with those fees being waived for indigenous-owned businesses.
