How To Win the Race to Australia’s Hottest Retail Address
Australia is about to welcome the most powerful retail address in the world … amazon.com.au. Beginning in 2018, Amazon will deliver everything from drones to diapers to 24 million Australians from its Melbourne-based distribution facility. Some project Amazon could quickly nab up to AUS $4 billion in annual sales.
So what do you need to know to take advantage of Amazon’s launch in Australia?
Be Ready to Move. Fast.
In mid-October, Amazon reported more than 500 Australian retailers have already signed on to sell when Amazon.com.au goes live in 2018.
For non-Australian companies, the prospect of quicker delivery and lowered shipping costs is undeniable. Amazon marketplace sellers in Mexico number 48,000 just two years after launch, while Amazon India numbers its sellers at more than 230,000 less than 4 years after launch.
Getting a head start by signing on as a Seller, even if your product plan is still under development, is a great first step. A simple online form available at https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/au_sell.html is all it takes to get started.
Be Ready For Australia’s Returns Policy
Amazon’s already taught to consumers the world over to expect effortless returns. Australia’s consumer protections are among the most vigorous in the world.
Specifically, your product must meet extra promises like lifetime guarantees. Be aware that consumers are entitled to compensation for damages and loss if a product doesn’t live up to its claims, or if you fail to support the product after the sale. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has great guidelines for anyone planning on doing business in Australia available online.
Be Ready to Know, and Win, the Logistics Game
As an entrepreneur, you already know that the devil is in the details. Every fraction of a penny you invest in delivering the best product for the money can be quickly eaten away by shipping, customs clearance, packaging … it can bring new meaning to the phrase “getting nickeled and dimed to death.” Working with your factory to establish drop shipping to a single, in-country distribution facility can be a good first step.
Alternatively, you can tap into one of Amazon’s core competencies – moving goods from point to point with blinding speed and cost efficiency – with Fulfillment By Amazon. Sellers who chose FBA may give up a little in gross margins. But with Amazon handling shipping and ground delivery, you may find that exceeding your customers’ delivery expectations is well worth it.
Be Flexible Enough to Expect The Unexpected
Cliches are cliches because they’re true. As an entrepreneur, you know that “expect the unexpected” is one of the few things you can count on to be true every single day. So as you prepare to launch your retail presence in Australia, know that new questions are going to emerge out of every answer you track down.
There’s help, though. If you’re new to the game, or you need a little help in getting started, our Import Success Formula program is a great place to start. You’ll have access to all the experience we’ve gained during our 35 years of private labeling.
Ready to get started and learn more about opening up all the online retail possibilities that Amazon.com.au has to offer? Click HERE to get started today.
