One of Wagga’s most successful online businesses has called on fellow retailers to “Amazon-proof” their livelihoods as the American giant begins to flex its muscles on Australian soil.
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Jill Tucker’s online store, Erilan Mastectomy Collection, caters for prosthesis, lingerie and clothing for women who have undergone breast surgery.
It’s a niche market but the 61-year-old believes regional online enterprises such as hers are more at risk than people anticipate.
“People believe that Amazon isn’t going to affect them but that’s simply untrue,” she said.
“The question isn’t ‘Will they affect you?’ The real question is ‘to what extent?’”
“Why did you say to him ‘Why worry’?”
Ms Tucker runs her online marketplace with the assistance of her overseas-based son and believe steps must be put in place to ensure smaller businesses are getting the exposure they need to survive.
“You’ve really got to make sure you can become Amazon-proof” she said.
“I think it comes down to being search engine optimised, providing excellent customer service and having a good turnaround on delivery.
“When people are searching for goods online, your product needs to be the first one they see and click on.”
Ms Tucker’s sentiments are clear but not every businesses is taking a doom and gloom approach to Amazon’s arrival.
Some, including online toy, hobby and sports store, Thingdom, are in the process of collaborating with the internet goliath to better promote their business.
Other retail heavyweights were unaffected on the stock market by Amazon’s introduction.