Amazon has confirmed its Prime Day sale will take place later this month, running across October 13 and October 14.
The two-day event, which typically sees big reductions on thousands of products was due to take place in the summer. However, owing to the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, Amazon opted to push the event back.
The online retailer is adding a bit of a twist this year. It has announced that it is tailoring the event towards small businesses that use Amazon’s platform to reach customers around the country.
The company says that Prime members who spend £10 with select small businesses selling in Amazon’s store from September 28 to October 12 will earn a free £10 to spend on Prime Day. Additionally, Amazon itself is investing more than £75 million to support small businesses globally with special Prime Day and holiday season promotional programmes.
‘After a tough six months for everyone, we’re committed to making this the most successful Prime Day ever for small businesses, and excited for members to discover the very best from artisans and entrepreneurs in the UK, whilst saving big on everything they need and love from the comfort of their homes.’ said Doug Gurr, Amazon UK Country Manager.
With coronavirus destroying the traditional shopping experience, a lot of smaller businesses are finding online services like Amazon and eBay are a lifeline for getting their products to customers.
Lavinia Davolio, Founder, Lavolio Boutique Confectionery, London, UK, said: ‘As a small business owner Prime Day is an extraordinary opportunity to reach many new customers, encouraging them to try our handmade confectionery for the first time.
‘We simply don’t have enough space and people to pack all the boxes to fulfil the increased level of customer demand, so for peak moments like Amazon Prime Day, Christmas or Mother’s Day, Fulfilment by Amazon is pivotal and enables us to scale.’
More than 60% of UK businesses selling on Amazon export to customers all over the world. The retailer reports that in 2019 they achieved total export sales of more than £2.75bn and supported more than 85,000 job opportunities in the UK.
As ever though, there will be heavy discounts on plenty of consumer products from larger companies as well during the Prime Day event, which will run from 00.01am on Tuesday, October 13 through to 23.59pm on Wednesday, October 14.
You’ll need to be a Prime member to take part in the offers, but Amazon offers a one-month-free trial membership so it’s possible to activate it for the purposes of Prime Day and then cancel once the trial comes to an end.
