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Tag: amazon

  • Cafe Amazon Drives Record-breaking Quarter For Thailand’s Ptt Oil And Retail Business

    Cafe Amazon Drives Record-breaking Quarter For Thailand’s Ptt Oil And Retail Business

    PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), the lifestyle and retail subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Group, has announced a record-breaking financial performance for the first quarter of this year. This success is largely attributable to its leading brand Cafe Amazon, which experienced a period of significant expansion throughout Southeast Asia.

    Noteworthy Performance

    Cafe Amazon sold over 112 million cups of coffee during the first quarter, emphasizing the strength of the brand. With 391 stores now in operation outside of Thailand, the cafe chain has become a key driver of OR’s earnings growth. The company’s total revenue hit an impressive US$5.6 billion, with net profits increasing by 46 per cent from the last quarter to approximately $134 million. This represents a 17.6 per cent growth year-on-year.

    ML Peekthong Thongyai, CEO of OR, credited the robust performance to the resilience of the business model. “Our strong performance this quarter underscores our long-term strategic direction. We are expanding with a clear purpose, delivering value for individuals, contributing to community prosperity and demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility.”

    Global Expansion

    Cafe Amazon’s reach extends to nine markets. These include Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Japan.

    The cafe chain is part of OR’s wider Global Business segment. This segment reported a 30.8 per cent year-on-year increase in sales volume together with an 81.5 per cent rise in EBITDA.

    Peekthong reiterated the company’s mission beyond monetary profit. “We’re not just about selling fuel or coffee. Our goal is to build platforms that strengthen local economies, encourage entrepreneurship, and facilitate long-term, sustainable growth.”

    OR oversees 415 PTT Stations and 391 Cafe Amazon outlets across Asia and the Middle East.

    Questions & Answers

    What factors contributed to OR’s record-breaking financial performance?
    The company attributes its success to the significant expansion of Cafe Amazon, which sold over 112 million cups of coffee in the first quarter.

    What markets does Cafe Amazon currently operate in?
    The cafe chain operates in nine markets, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Japan.

    What is OR’s greater mission beyond selling products?
    OR aims to build platforms that strengthen local economies, promote entrepreneurship, and facilitate sustainable, long-term growth.

  • Prime Day Phenomenon: How Amazon’s Mega Sale Is Reshaping The Retail Calendar

    Prime Day Phenomenon: How Amazon’s Mega Sale Is Reshaping The Retail Calendar

    The Evolution of Prime Day

    In the United States, Black Friday has long been seen as the ultimate shopping event. However, Amazon’s Prime Day has been increasingly gaining momentum among consumers since its inception. Launched on June 15, 2015, as part of Amazon’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, it initially offered a 24-hour window of exclusive deals to Prime members.

    Over the past decade, Prime Day has evolved from a one-day sales event to a multi-day shopping frenzy, significantly reshaping the US retail calendar. Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T, observed that Prime Day has become an exceptional event where consumers feel inclined to splurge due to the impressive marketing around the event as a significant savings opportunity.

    This year, Amazon extended its Prime Day sale to four days, from July 8th to 11th, making it the longest sale in the company’s history. It is estimated that in 2024, Amazon achieved record sales of $14.2 billion during the 48-hour event, increasing 11 per cent year-over-year. This year’s extended Prime Day event is projected to drive $23.8 billion in spending, a rise of 28.4 per cent compared to the previous year.

    An Adobe spokesperson likened the event to “two Black Fridays,” which brought in $10.8 billion in online spending during the 2024 holiday shopping season. However, Amazon isn’t the only retailer capitalizing on this alternative “Black Friday” shopping season.

    Impact on Other Retailers

    Prime Day has become a pivotal date in the retail calendar, according to Neil Saunders, MD of GlobalData. He noted that many consumers eagerly anticipate the event to secure deals and bargains.

    To keep up with Amazon, other retailers such as Best Buy and Target have devised competing events like ‘Black Friday in July’ and ‘Target Circle Week.’ These events aim to attract consumers already excited by Amazon’s Prime Day.

    Recent data revealed that during Prime Day, 53.4 per cent of consumers intended to explore retailers other than Amazon. Furthermore, a 2024 survey revealed that 35 per cent of Prime members also shopped during Target Circle Week, another 35 per cent participated in the Walmart Deals event, and 12 per cent took part in Best Buy’s ‘Black Friday in July.’

    In response to Amazon’s Prime Day extension, competitors like Walmart and TikTok Shop have also extended their sales events. However, as noted by Daniel Reid, Senior Insights Analyst at Similarweb, merely extending the duration of discount periods isn’t enough to maintain competitiveness. Retailers must also provide a unique and credible value proposition that consumers cannot find elsewhere.

    The Competitive Landscape

    Many retailers, including Target, have adopted strategies such as releasing different deals each day to keep customers engaged and curious about what’s coming next. This year, retailers introduced new promotions to further attract consumers, such as Target allowing its Circle 360 members early access to Circle Week deals, TikTok Shop offering cash back to customers who watch ‘Deals For You Days’ live streams and find a lower price for a featured product elsewhere, and Walmart hosting its Deals event both in-person and online for the first time.

    While it’s unlikely that these retailers will match the sales numbers achieved by Prime Day, it’s evident that they must continue innovating to capture consumers’ attention during this busy shopping period.

    Questions & Answers

    How long was Amazon’s Prime Day event this year?
    Amazon extended its Prime Day event to four days, from July 8th to 11th, marking the longest sale in the company’s history.

    What strategies are other retailers adopting to compete with Amazon’s Prime Day?
    Retailers like Best Buy and Target are creating rival events, while others are extending their discount periods to match Amazon’s. Some are also releasing new deals daily to keep customers engaged and curious.

    What new promotions are retailers offering this year to attract consumers?
    Retailers are offering new promotions such as early access to deals for members, cashback offers, and hosting events both in-person and online.

  • Pandora and Amazon Join Forces to Dismantle Major Counterfeit Jewelry Network in China

    Pandora and Amazon Join Forces to Dismantle Major Counterfeit Jewelry Network in China

    Pandora has made significant strides in the battle against counterfeit jewelry, successfully collaborating with Amazon to dismantle a sprawling network of fake products across Europe. This initiative culminated in a criminal conviction in China, marking a pivotal achievement for both companies in their commitment to combating counterfeiting.

    Investigation Sparks Action

    The investigation commenced in 2020 when Pandora’s Intellectual Property and Brand Protection team detected suspicious customs seizures. By partnering with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit, they traced these counterfeit activities back to two China-based sellers orchestrating a large-scale operation.

    Raids and Convictions

    In a decisive move, Chinese authorities, with support from both Pandora and Amazon, conducted a raid that led to the seizure of thousands of counterfeit items. The two sellers were subsequently sentenced by a Shanghai court in March 2025 to five years in prison, accompanied by hefty fines. Justice, it seems, is best served with a side of bling.

    Remarkable Market Impact

    In 2024 alone, Pandora facilitated the removal of over 500,000 online listings touting fake products, a remarkable 215% increase from the previous year, fueled by the utilization of AI tools. The company also played a vital role in the global seizure of approximately 100,000 counterfeit items, a testament to its proactive approach in safeguarding its brand.

    Pandora’s Retail Strategy

    While Pandora does not sell its products on Amazon, it collaborates with the platform to eradicate the circulation of counterfeit goods. With a presence in over 2,700 stores worldwide and sales through its official website, pandora.net, the company remains dedicated to upholding brand integrity.

    Addressing a Global Challenge

    Counterfeiting poses an ongoing challenge worldwide, with the OECD estimating that fake goods represent a staggering 2.3% of global trade. In response, Pandora has pledged to continue its investments in enforcement and strategic partnerships to protect its brand and the interests of its customers.

    Questions & Answers

    What prompted the investigation into counterfeit Pandora products?
    The investigation was sparked by suspicious customs seizures identified by Pandora’s IP & Brand Protection team in 2020, leading to a collaboration with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit.

    What were the outcomes of the raid conducted in China?
    The raid resulted in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit items, and the two sellers involved were sentenced to five years in prison along with significant fines.

    How has Pandora’s approach to combating counterfeiting evolved in recent years?
    Pandora has significantly increased its efforts by leveraging AI tools, leading to the removal of over 500,000 fake product listings in 2024, and is committed to ongoing investment in brand protection.

  • Amazon To Inject $233m Into India Operations: Aims For Infrastructure Expansion And Enhanced Delivery Safety

    Amazon To Inject $233m Into India Operations: Aims For Infrastructure Expansion And Enhanced Delivery Safety

    By 2025, Amazon is planning to inject more than 20 billion rupees (equivalent to US$233 million) into its operations in India. This significant investment will be used to enhance and widen the scope of its operational infrastructure, as well as devise innovative technology for its product fulfillment networks and augment delivery safety procedures.

    The Aim of the Investment

    This substantial financial commitment comes in continuation of Amazon’s previous investments aimed at constructing a comprehensive operations network that can cater to all serviceable postal codes within the nation.

    A key player in the Indian e-commerce market, Amazon competes with other heavyweights such as Walmart’s Flipkart and Reliance Retail, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani. The corporation had previously announced that by 2030, its total investment in the Indian market would reach $26 billion, however, the specifics regarding this allocation were not disclosed.

    Investment Implementation

    The new funding will be allocated toward the establishment of new sites and modernization of existing facilities across its fulfillment and delivery network to enhance processing speed and capacity.

    In addition to infrastructural developments, Amazon also has plans to incorporate technology that will ensure the safety of its delivery associates. This includes implementing systems that will notify associates of unsafe speeds and enable the equitable distribution of delivery routes.

    Investing in Employee Welfare

    Part of the funding will also be directed toward initiatives designed to improve the health and financial stability of Amazon’s employees. This showcases the company’s commitment to not just expand its market presence, but also to enhance the welfare of its workforce.

    Earlier this year, it was announced that Amazon’s cloud services provider, Amazon Web Services, was earmarked to invest approximately US$8.2 billion in India.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the purpose of Amazon’s planned investment in India?
    The investment is intended to expand and modernize Amazon’s operational infrastructure, develop new technology for its product fulfilment networks, and boost delivery safety.

    How will Amazon’s new investment benefit its delivery associates?
    Amazon plans to implement technology that will alert delivery associates about unsafe speeds and ensure fair distribution of delivery routes, enhancing their safety and work experience.

    What commitment has Amazon made towards the welfare of its employees?
    Amazon has pledged to allocate a portion of its new investment to initiatives aimed at improving the health and financial well-being of its employees in India.

  • Amazon Extends Prime Day To Four Days: New Features Introduced For Personalized Shopping Experience

    Amazon Extends Prime Day To Four Days: New Features Introduced For Personalized Shopping Experience

    Amazon is expanding its yearly Prime Day event from two to four days, providing exclusive offers to Prime members from July 8 to July 14 in 22 markets worldwide. Notable markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and Japan.

    Length of Prime Day in Different Markets

    While the duration of Prime Day has been extended in most markets, it has been shortened by two days in Singapore, where the event lasted for six days in the previous year.

    Jamil Ghani, Vice President for Amazon Prime, emphasized that the extended sales period allows Prime members more opportunities to access deals across a variety of categories. These include fashion, pantry essentials, home improvement, personal care, toys, school supplies, and premium goods.

    “Prime Day is dedicated to celebrating our members by offering them remarkable savings and expedient delivery,” Ghani remarked. He further announced that this year’s event would also feature exclusive deals like fuel discounts.

    New Features and Personalized Experience

    Amazon is introducing a new feature named ‘Today’s Big Deals.’ These daily themed offers will start at midnight, and special deals will be released every five minutes during selected periods throughout the event.

    Moreover, Amazon aims to leverage its AI capabilities to provide a more personalized shopping experience. Prime members can utilize Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, Rufus, to investigate product categories and identify relevant deals. Other tools, including ‘Interests’ and ‘Buy Again’ lists, enable users to monitor discounts on items they have previously purchased or frequently viewed.

    Prime Day’s Global Reach

    Prime Day will commence on July 8 in numerous countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Prime members in Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will have the chance to shop Prime Day deals later this summer.

    Questions & Answers

    When will Amazon Prime Day take place in 2022?
    Amazon Prime Day will take place from July 8 to July 14.

    What are the new features introduced by Amazon for Prime Day 2022?
    Amazon has introduced ‘Today’s Big Deals,’ a feature that provides themed offers daily, and Rufus, an AI shopping assistant to help members find relevant deals.

    Which countries will have the opportunity to shop Prime Day deals later this summer?
    Prime members in Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will have the opportunity to shop Prime Day deals later this summer.

  • Amazon extends hourly wage bump for warehouse workers in light of the coronavirus

    Amazon extends hourly wage bump for warehouse workers in light of the coronavirus

    Amazon is extending the hourly wage increase that it announced previously to support workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The company had added $2 for each hour worked on top of the minimum hourly wage of $15. In the UK and European countries, the increase amounted to £2 per hour and €2 per hour respectively. For Canada, it was C$2 per hour worked. These revised rates were to last through the end of this month initially.

    Under the new announcement, the increased rate will apply through May 16. Moreover, the company has also extended double overtime pay in the US and Canada.

    Amazon says that this extension will increase its investment in pay during the outbreak to around $700 million. While this sure sounds great, it is also worth highlighting here that unlike most other companies, Amazon’s business is not suffering because of COVID-19. In fact, sales have apparently skyrocketed, and the company is also on a hiring spree, which goes on to show that demand for its services has increased during the pandemic.

    Unlike corporate office employees, warehouse workers cannot work from home. And thus, it makes sense to provide them an incentive so they keep working during these testing times. An Amazon warehouse worker has already died because of the virus, and many have tested positive.

    The e-commerce giant is also giving flexibility with leave of absence options. However, it hasn’t said if it will also extend the unlimited unpaid time off policy that was announced last month. This policy enabled workers to take some unpaid time off without having to worry about any consequences such as penalties. However, it seems like beginning next month, workers who wish to stay home will have to use their accrued time off i.e. the leaves they have remaining or ask for a leave of absence, which will be granted if a worker has an existing health condition or lives with someone who does. That’s because such individuals are more susceptible to coronavirus. Other workers will apparently have to get back to work.

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  • Amazon Australia launches B2B store it says will help businesses cut costs

    Amazon Australia launches B2B store it says will help businesses cut costs

    Amazon Business, a new platform designed to streamline operations and decrease expenses for organizations of various sizes, has been introduced by Amazon Australia. The platform will feature focused sections for kitchen and pantry goods, cleaning and sanitation products, alongside stationary, IT commodities, and maintenance solutions.

    Addressing Business Needs

    Amazon Business aims to cater to the specific needs of business buyers, offering them tailored features for convenience. These include exclusive business pricing and volume discounts on eligible items. The platform also provides options for single or multi-user business accounts, Business Prime, and dedicated customer service.

    The introduction of this platform comes at a critical time when inflating expenses have been impacting small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Australia. Research reveals that 92% of these SMBs have experienced a rise in operational costs over the past three years. Consequently, 83% of them have been compelled to transfer these expenses to their customers.

    Furthermore, the same research unveiled that over 80% of Australian SMBs have had to increase their prices by an average of 13% due to the escalating cost pressures.

    Gearing Up for Expansion

    Lena Zak, Country Manager of Amazon Business Australia, expressed excitement about the new platform. Zak emphasized the benefits of Amazon Business, stating that this development would be highly advantageous for the numerous SMBs operating across Australia. Zak further highlighted that Amazon Australia has substantially invested in enhancing its operations network to facilitate a smooth, speedy, and reliable shopping experience for its customers.

    With this latest launch, Australia becomes the eleventh country to offer Amazon Business, joining the ranks of countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, among others. Since its debut in 2015 in the U.S., Amazon Business has expanded its customer base to over 8 million worldwide. The platform reportedly generates approximately $35 billion in annual gross sales.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Amazon Business?
    Amazon Business is a platform designed to simplify operations and reduce costs for organizations. It provides business-only pricing, quantity discounts, and options for single or multi-user business accounts, among other features.

    What does the launch of Amazon Business imply for Australian SMBs?
    The launch comes at a time when rising operational costs have been impacting Australian SMBs. It aims to offer them a streamlined, cost-effective way of procuring necessary items, thereby helping them manage their expenses.

    How has Amazon Business performed since its inception?
    Since its launch in the U.S. in 2015, Amazon Business has grown to more than 8 million customers globally. The platform reportedly generates approximately $35 billion in annualized gross sales.

  • Amazon Australia Expands Workforce: 600 Seasonal Jobs for Mid-Year Sales

    Amazon Australia Expands Workforce: 600 Seasonal Jobs for Mid-Year Sales

    As the mid-year sales season approaches, Amazon Australia plans to hire 600 seasonal workers across its fulfillment centers and logistics sites. This recruitment drive is aimed at enhancing operations in anticipation of the highly-anticipated Prime Day event in July.

    Roles Focused on Order Fulfillment

    The seasonal positions will predominantly involve picking and packing orders to ensure that customer demand is met efficiently. With a significant increase in online shopping, particularly leading up to Prime Day, these new hires will play a crucial role in maintaining the swift, free delivery services that Prime members expect.

    Competitive Pay and Opportunities for Growth

    “These roles offer competitive pay, a safe and inclusive work environment, and the chance to build valuable skills in a fast-paced, technology-driven workplace,” stated Jacqui Marker, HR Director of Operations at Amazon Australia.

    In addition to attractive compensation, these seasonal positions have the potential to transition into permanent roles. Employees may enjoy benefits such as life insurance, income protection, and subsidized private health coverage for their families, making these opportunities appealing for those seeking long-term employment in retail.

    Prime Day: What to Expect

    Prime Day promises exclusive discounts on a vast array of products, spanning everyday essentials to the latest electronics and home goods. The event has become a cornerstone of Amazon’s retail strategy, drawing in millions of eager shoppers.

    Amazon’s proactive approach to staffing with these seasonal roles reflects broader consumer trends in the retail sector. As more shoppers turn to online platforms, companies like Amazon are investing in their workforce to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. This wave of hiring not only underscores the booming e-commerce market but also has the potential to positively impact local economies by providing job opportunities and fostering growth within the retail landscape.

  • Amazon’s last-second bid to buy TikTok is not being taken seriously

    Amazon’s last-second bid to buy TikTok is not being taken seriously

    By law, short-form video app TikTok has until this Saturday, April 5th, to be divested by its current owner ByteDance, or else face banishment in the U.S. The legislation requires ByteDance to find a buyer for the popular app that is not a Chinese company. TikTok has been accused of stealing users’ personal data, and disseminating propaganda from China and the Chinese Communist Party to U.S. viewers.

    It looks like an American company, as American as Apple Pie, has thrown a last-second bid for TikTok into the ring. An unnamed U.S. administration official said today that Amazon has made a bid to acquire TikTok, which had about 1.5 billion monthly active users early this year. Last week, Reuters reported that private equity firm Blackstone was looking at joining a group made up of TikTok’s non-Chinese stockholders Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic to bid for the app.

    Another U.S. company believed to be interested in buying TikTok from ByteDance is Oracle. The firm is already involved with TikTok as it is designated as the app’s “trusted technology provider” in the U.S. and its servers are used to store the personal data of U.S. TikTok users.

    The New York Times reported today that Amazon’s bid for TikTok came in the form of a letter sent from the company to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. However, the Times story says that various parties are not taking Amazon’s bid seriously. The value of Amazon’s bid as well as those of competing bids are unknown. The online retailer had previously attempted to copy TikTok by launching a similar feature inside its app called Inspire. However, Inspire was considered a failure and was removed from the Amazon app earlier this year.

    Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is reportedly hosting a meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday to discuss TikTok and the possible suitors for the app. You might recall that in 2020 during Trump’s first term, he tried to broker the sale of TikTok to American firms that showed interest including Oracle, Walmart, and Microsoft. This time, there is legislation involved as a bill to ban TikTok in the U.S. was signed by then-President Joe Biden last April.

    The bill forced ByteDance to divest its holdings in TikTok by January 19th or get banned in the U.S. President Trump signed an executive order on January 20th, his inauguration day, that prevents the Justice Department from taking action against TikTok until the April 5th deadline.

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  • Marketplace Shake-Up: Amazon Thrives, Catch Closes, Chinese Platforms to Stall

    Marketplace Shake-Up: Amazon Thrives, Catch Closes, Chinese Platforms to Stall

    Australia’s marketplace sector is rapidly transforming, with Amazon strengthening its dominance, Wesfarmers closing Catch, and doubts growing around Temu and Shein, according to new research from ecommerce and marketplace accelerator, Pattern.

    The findings, published in Pattern’s ‘2025 Marketplace Consumer Report’, reveal that marketplaces are now an indispensable part of the online shopping ecosystem, with 94% of Australians purchasing from one in the past 12 months.

    “Amazon’s increasing prominence in product discovery, its substantial Prime membership base, and the upcoming launch of the price-competitive platform called ‘Haul’ have solidified its position as Australia’s leading marketplace,” explains Merline McGregor, Managing Director for Pattern Australia. “Meanwhile, Catch has closed, Kogan and MyDeal are growing —although from smaller customer bases than the market’s frontrunners—and early enthusiasm for low-cost Chinese marketplaces appears to have peaked as they struggle to meet shopper expectations.”

    Chinese marketplace growth to stall

    New research indicates that high-profile Chinese marketplaces Temu and Shein risk losing shoppers in 2025. Although these platforms have rapidly captured market share, only 12% of consumers trust Temu for its product quality, leading to a predicted 7% drop in shoppers. Shein faces similar challenges, with trust levels at just 11%.

    “Many Australians trialled Temu and Shein over the last eighteen months due to aggressive pricing and large marketing campaigns. Yet early adopters have found these marketplaces unreliable. Although they may still expand in the future, Temu and Shein face a significant challenge in legitimising themselves within the Australian market and delivering on the customer experience,” observed McGregor.

    Alarmingly for the Chinese marketplaces, only 43% of shoppers would consider buying from Temu in 2025, and even this may hinge on improvements in quality and delivery. For Shein, expanding into categories like home and beauty is yet to offset concerns about its core offerings.

    Amazon extends its lead

    Amazon has cemented its position as Australia’s leading marketplace. The platform attracted 1.1 million new Australian users in 2024, bringing its total to 7.9 million shoppers, accounting for 10% of the country’s total online shopping spend1.

    The outlook for Amazon is incredibly strong with a significant 63% of Australians planning to shop on the platform in 2025. Its appeal is particularly strong among younger shoppers (71% of those aged 18-24) and high-income households earning over $200,000 annually (78%).

    “Amazon’s focus on fast delivery, quality products, and a seamless shopping experience sets it apart,” said McGregor. “While Chinese platforms have disrupted the market, Amazon’s trusted reputation and ability to adapt—such as the launch of its low-cost ‘Haul’ storefront—ensure it stays ahead.”

    Consumers discover new products on marketplaces today

    Australian shoppers are also changing how they research and discover new products online, with traditional search giant, Google, experiencing a 7% decline in people using the platform for new product discovery.

    At the same time, the share of consumers who begin their product research on Amazon has risen by 27% year on year, highlighting the platform’s growing impact on purchase decisions.

    In 2024, 63% of shoppers bought a product that they had never purchased from Amazon before and 38% visited a brand’s website after discovering it on the platform.

    “Online marketplaces play a pivotal role in how shoppers discover and evaluate new products,” said McGregor. “Their extensive variety, combined with transparent customer feedback empowers consumers to explore unfamiliar brands with greater confidence.”

    What products will consumers buy from which marketplace in 2025?

    Pattern’s research asked consumers what they were likely to buy in 2025 and through which marketplace, with the results indicating:

    • Amazon’s key shopper categories are Books & eBooks (37%), Electronics & Computer (24%) and Home & Kitchen (24%).
    • eBay is competitive across a range of categories, including Electronics & Computer (20%), Books & eBooks (17%) and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (16%).
    • Temu attracts shoppers with Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (20%), Home & Kitchen (14%).
    • Shein maintains its appeal in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (19%), while its expansion beyond fashion drives growth in categories like Skincare & Make-up (7%) and Home & Kitchen (6%).
    • Kogan remains strong in Electronics & Computer (11%) and Home & Kitchen (8%).
    • My Deal gains consumer interest for Home & Kitchen (5%) and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (5%).

    “Marketplaces in Australia are set for strong growth in 2025, driven by the strong consumer pull toward convenience, competitive pricing, and rapid delivery. With 94% of Australians already shopping on these platforms, brands can’t afford to sit on the sideline. They must be present where consumers shop. To attract new customers and succeed in a competitive online shopping environment, brands need a dedicated marketplace strategy and to collaborate with specialists like Pattern to maximise their impact,” concluded McGregor.

    For more information and to download the full report please click here: ‘2025 Marketplace Consumer Report’

    About Pattern Inc

    Pattern is the category leader in global ecommerce and marketplace acceleration. It is the number one reseller on Amazon globally, selling over $3 billion of product each year into 60 countries. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to over 2,000 employees operating from 24 global locations – including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global ecommerce marketplaces. Pattern is also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other ecommerce marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 300 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit https://au.pattern.com/

    Media Contact

    Paul Manser

    Mulberry Marketing Communications

    pmanser@mulberrymc.com

     

    1 Roy Morgan. (August 2024). SHEIN and Temu Continue to Grow Strongly.

  • Amazon seeks to contest Temu, Shein with budget store selling items like $3 iPhone cases

    Amazon seeks to contest Temu, Shein with budget store selling items like $3 iPhone cases

    American e-commerce giant Amazon has launched Amazon Haul, an affordable e-commerce storefront which offers products priced US$20 or less.

    Items such as a $3 iPhone case or a pack of four socks for $7 are sold with a variety of options on the new store, which is advertised as offering “crazy low prices,” according to a company release.

    Over 300 million products in the main categories of clothing, home goods, jewelry and electronics are available on the store, which can be found on Amazon’s mobile app.

    Most items are $10 or less, and the company offers free shipping on orders of $25 or higher.

    The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon Haul items will take longer to deliver because they ship directly from warehouses in China, similar to Chinese competitors Temu and Shein which have been rapidly expanding to many markets in recent months.

    Although products priced under $3 are not eligible for return, Amazon guarantees that all items have been screened for safety and authenticity.

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  • Pattern Helps Australian Brand Recover Over $200k Amazon Revenue

    Pattern Helps Australian Brand Recover Over $200k Amazon Revenue

    Pattern, global ecommerce and marketplace accelerator, has announced the launch of Pattern Recovery, a new service designed to help Australian brands optimise their Amazon marketplace presence and safeguard past and future profitability.

    As Australia’s most popular marketplace, Amazon, offers unparalleled opportunities for brands to reach millions of customers. However, the scale and complexity of the platform can often result in Australian brands becoming overwhelmed and not making the most of the marketplace opportunity. Pattern Recovery supports brands operating as first-party (1P) or third-party (3P) vendors on Amazon to optimise their marketplace presence and recover on average up to 6% of any revenue they may have missed from a five-year look back window.

    “Most Australian brands currently struggle to navigate all the moving parts that come with selling on Amazon. This leads to errors resulting in repeated missed opportunities for revenue relating to overcharges, misapplied fees and inventory recovery,” explained Merline McGregor, Managing Director at Pattern. “Working on behalf of Australian brands, Pattern Recovery can identify and recover up to 70% of these missed revenue opportunities and back-date them as far as five years. This ensures brands can gain back profits that would otherwise have been a loss and optimise processes to safeguard profitability into the future.

    “Optimisation and recovery efforts have led to some impressive revenue gains. One first-party Amazon vendor in Australia had 19,300 disputes made on its behalf for both new and old fees dating back five years. This achieved a $216,000 recovery.”

    Pattern Recovery offers a comprehensive review of all Amazon transactions, pinpointing areas where brands have missed opportunities and efficiently addressing these on the brand’s behalf. This meticulous oversight not only enhances current profitability but also provides valuable insights to help brands refine and optimise their operations to increase future revenue. It does this through in-depth root cause analysis and supply chain coaching, aimed at minimising any future errors before they occur.

    What makes Pattern Recovery stand out is its ability to complement the strengths of Amazon’s platform, turning potential missed opportunities into improvements and profit gains. The service provides continuous support to brands, offering strategic insights and operational advice that align with Amazon’s best practices. This proactive approach ensures vendors can maximise their profitability without any disruption to their selling.

    “In today’s ecommerce environment, it is more crucial than ever for brands to optimise every aspect of their operations to drive profitability – they cannot afford unnecessary losses or inefficiencies. By ensuring that all areas of the business, including Amazon marketplace operations, are operating at peak efficiency, brands can not only safeguard their bottom line but also position themselves for sustainable growth. It’s about being proactive, tightening the ship, and making every dollar count to build future strength,” added McGregor.

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    About Pattern Inc

    Pattern is the category leader in global ecommerce and marketplace acceleration. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to more than 1,400 employees operating from 24 global locations – including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global ecommerce marketplaces. As well as being one of the largest Amazon sellers in the world, we are also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other ecommerce marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 200 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit https://au.pattern.com/

     

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  • Amazon Kindle Vella to be discontinued in February 2025

    Amazon Kindle Vella to be discontinued in February 2025

    Amazon has made the decision to shut down its Kindle Vella serialized story platform in February 2025. The platform, launched in 2021, was intended to be a way for readers to discover new fictional stories and for authors to earn money from the Kindle Direct Publishing service. However, the platform has not gained the traction Amazon had hoped for, leading to its discontinuation.

    Authors can continue to publish stories on Vella until December 4th, which is also the last day readers can purchase tokens. After this date, readers can still use their tokens to unlock episodes until the program closes in February. Readers who have already unlocked episodes will not lose access to them and can read them in their library on the Kindle app. Any unused tokens will be refunded by Amazon.

    Vella has received mixed responses since its launch. Some authors appreciated the ability to earn money from unfinished stories, while some readers expressed a preference for purchasing complete books rather than installments. The mixed reception highlights the challenges of introducing new reading formats and subscription models in a market accustomed to traditional publishing models.

    Despite efforts to increase interest, such as offering free episodes and bonuses to authors, Amazon has decided to discontinue the platform. The closure of Kindle Vella marks the end of an experiment in serialized storytelling. While it did not achieve the success Amazon had hoped for, it provided a platform for authors to connect with readers in a new way. It also offered a unique opportunity for readers to discover and engage with stories as they were being written.

    The decision to shut down Vella reflects the dynamic nature of the digital publishing landscape. As technology and reader preferences evolve, platforms and services must adapt to remain relevant. While Vella may not have found its niche, it contributed to the ongoing exploration of new ways to create, share, and experience stories.

    While it is always disappointing to see a service end, it also opens up opportunities for new and innovative platforms to emerge. I am interested in seeing how this will affect the landscape of serialized fiction and what new developments may arise in the future.

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  • Amazon confirms the Kindle Oasis will be discontinued

    Amazon confirms the Kindle Oasis will be discontinued

    Fresh on the heels of the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition announcement, Amazon confirmed that it’s retiring its last Kindle e-reader to feature physical buttons, the Kindle Oasis.

    The information doesn’t really come as a surprise considering the e-reader made its debut on the market more than eight years ago. What’s surprising is that many of those who bought the e-reader when it was launched are still using it. There’s an entire thread on reddit where Kindle Oasis users express their love for Amazon’s e-reader.

    Unfortunately, Amazon’s rep Devon Corvasce told The Verge that “once current inventory of Kindle Oasis sells out online and in stores, we will not restock the device. Today, all of our devices are touch-forward which is what our customers are comfortable with.”

    The Kindle Oasis can no longer be bought from Amazon, as the e-reader’s page mentions the product is “currently unavailable,” and that’s probably how it will stay until all stock is depleted. The Oasis will probably be completely removed from Amazon’s website in just a couple of months.

    After its original launch back in 2016, the Kindle Oasis received some updates in the form of two new versions, which landed in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Since then, Amazon focused completely on releasing touch-only Kindle models, which made the Oasis rather obsolete.

    Still, it would have been nice for Amazon to have at least one Kindle model that features physical buttons in its portfolio, as many customers prefer the Oasis over the newer models.

    Thankfully, if you’re more of a traditional person who prefers their e-readers have physical buttons, there are plenty of alternatives from the competition like the Kobo Libra, Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Verse Pro, Onyx Boox Page or the Hi Reader Pro.

    Some of these are better than others, but what’s important is that e-readers with physical buttons are still a thing, despite Amazon’s decision to discontinue its only model with this specific perk.

  • Amazon and Flipkart found to have breached India’s antitrust laws

    Amazon and Flipkart found to have breached India’s antitrust laws

    An Indian antitrust investigation has found US e-commerce giant Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart violated local competition laws by giving preference to select sellers on their shopping websites, according to reports seen by Reuters.

    The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in 2020 ordered an investigation into Amazon and Flipkart for allegedly promoting certain sellers with which they had business arrangements and giving priority to certain listings.

    In a 1027-page report on Amazon and a separate 1,696-page report on Flipkart, both dated August 9, the CCI investigators said the two companies were found to have created an ecosystem where preferred sellers appeared higher in search results, elbowing out other sellers.

    “Each of the anti-competitive practices alleged … were investigated and found to be true,” said both reports, which are not public and are being reported by Reuters for the first time.

    “Ordinary sellers remained as mere database entries,” the two reports said in identical conclusions on both companies.

    Amazon and Flipkart, as well as the CCI, did not immediately respond to Reuters queries. They have previously denied wrongdoing and said their practices are in line with Indian laws.

    The two companies will now review the report and file any objections before CCI staff decide on any potential fines.

    The investigation’s findings are the latest setback for Amazon and Flipkart in a country where they continue to face criticism for their business practices from smaller retailers, who say their businesses have suffered in recent years due to deep discounts offered online.

    The investigation was triggered by a complaint from the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, which is an affiliate of the country’s biggest trade body, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), that represents 80 million retailers.

    In a statement to Reuters, CAIT welcomed the CCI investigation findings, saying it would study the reports and “escalate the matter” with the federal government.

    Amazon and Flipkart are leading players in India’s e-retail market which was estimated to be worth $57-60 billion in 2023, and set to top $160 billion in value by 2028, consultancy firm Bain estimates.

    In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission has sued Amazon alleging the company uses “anticompetitive and unfair strategies to illegally maintain its monopoly power”. Amazon has said that the FTC lawsuit is wrongheaded and would hurt consumers by leading to higher prices and slower deliveries.

    Indian investigators raided certain sellers of Amazon and Flipkart during the probe, following a Reuters investigation in 2021 which was based on Amazon internal documents and showed the company gave preferential treatment for years to a small group of sellers on its platform, and used them to bypass Indian laws.

    The company has denied any wrongdoing but the CCI previously told an Indian court the Reuters special report corroborated evidence it had against Amazon.

    The CCI investigation report on Amazon said preferred sellers on the platform “get the advantage in the (online) listing” and when a customer searches for any product, “his attention is drawn towards” those listings.

    The practice of preferential listings and deep discounting of mobile phones – including selling products below cost price – causes a “catastrophic impact on the existing competition in the market.”

    In the report on Flipkart, the CCI said preferred sellers were provided various services such as marketing and delivery at a “miniscule cost.” They were also enabled by Flipkart to sell phones with deep discounts which amounts to “predatory pricing” and forecloses competition, the CCI said.

    “The anti-competitive practies are not limited to sales of mobile phones. They are equally prevalent in other categories of goods,” both reports said.

    Flipkart and Amazon for months tried to block the investigation through legal challenges in courts, but the Supreme Court in 2021 allowed it to go ahead.

    Last month, India’s commerce minister publicly called out Amazon by saying the company’s investments were often used to cover its business losses.

    Amazon in June last year said it will increase its Indian investment to $26 billion by 2030, including for its cloud business. It is also targeting merchandise exports worth $20 billion from India by 2025.

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