The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, 19 September 2024 (TBB Bureau): As small and medium sellers prepare for the upcoming festive season, Amazon is poised to further enhance e-commerce growth in Odisha and across India. The e-commerce giant has launched several initiatives to empower sellers, including a significant reduction in selling fees, ranging from 3% to 12% across categories such as groceries, fashion, and electronics. This will enable sellers to increase their earnings and offer competitive pricing to customers, positioning them for a strong Diwali sales surge and sustained growth beyond the festivities.
“Recently, we announced a major reduction in selling fees, which will enable sellers to expand their product portfolios on our marketplace and grow their businesses,” said Gaurav Bhatnagar, Director – Sales at Amazon India, during a media interaction in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
The festive season of 2024 presents a major opportunity for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in Odisha, as consumer spending is expected to increase significantly. More than 16,000 sellers from the state are expected to showcase their products on Amazon.in, giving them access to customers across all serviceable pin codes in India. By leveraging Amazon’s platform and tapping into the festive demand, sellers are anticipated to boost their sales and expand their reach, Bhatnagar added.
“At Amazon, we are committed to empowering SMBs in Odisha by helping them leverage e-commerce to its fullest potential. Every year, we introduce new initiatives to prepare sellers for the festive season, enabling them to optimize product listings and selections. We are confident that the reduction in selling fees, coupled with our innovative solutions, will allow sellers to achieve unprecedented success during and beyond this festive season,” Bhatnagar stated.
In addition to fee reductions, Amazon is harnessing cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to streamline operations for sellers. Innovations such as Rufus, an AI-powered shopping assistant, help customers seamlessly discover, compare, and purchase products, which in turn drives more business for sellers on Amazon.in.
Further supporting sellers, Amazon has introduced new tools like the Sale Event Planner, AI-powered Imaging Services, and Listing Assistants to help them manage inventory and optimize sales. The Self-Service Registration (SSR 2.0) tool simplifies the onboarding process with multi-language support, while the New Seller Success Center offers detailed guidance on setting up online shops and utilizing features like Ads and Prime for better performance.
To meet the growing demand, Amazon continues to invest heavily in infrastructure across Odisha. The company operates a sortation center in the state, nearly 50 Amazon-owned and partner delivery stations, and over 300 ‘I Have Space’ stores, ensuring efficient delivery to all serviceable pin codes and creating numerous business and employment opportunities in the region.
With the combination of reduced fees, AI-driven tools, and enhanced infrastructure, sellers in Odisha are well-positioned for a prosperous and successful festive season.
