Aussie entrepreneurs cashing in on Amazon

Local entrepreneurs are preparing to cash in on the launch of Amazon in Australia.

The tech giant is expected to unveil its full retail offering as early as November in what is widely predicted to be a bonanza for local shoppers.

However, small Australian retailers are also eagerly awaiting the imminent shakeup of the nation’s $300 billion retail sector.

James and Tristan Swanwick, founders of eCommerce start-up Swanwick Sleep, are one of a growing number of local entrepreneurs already taking advantage of Amazon to sell directly to customers in North America and Europe.

Since launching Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses on the platform in America in 2015, the Brisbane brothers have raked in more than USD $1.5 million on Amazon alone.

Tristan Swanwick, one of the first local merchants to be granted access to Amazon’s Australian Marketplace, said he and other experienced Amazon sellers “couldn’t wait” to start utilising the Fulfillment By Amazon service locally.

“In America and Europe you can send your products to Amazon’s warehouses and they will store them and then ship it to the customers when it’s sold,” Swanwick said.

“Up until now that hasn’t been available in Australia and it’s always been really frustrating that we can cater for customers in Los Angeles or New York City better than someone in Brisbane or Sydney.”

Swanwick said there compelling advantages for small retailers to work with Amazon.

“Amazon provides a platform to build a business from scratch with little more than a great idea,” he said.

“We went from zero to $1.5 million in less than two years and there’s no reason why other entrepreneurial Aussies can’t do the same thing.”