Amazon has just thrown open the doors to its business-to-business (B2B) marketplace in Australia, and it’s set to shake up the way Australian businesses shop.
If you’re running a small business, managing a not-for-profit, or even just stocking up the office kitchen, Amazon Business promises to make your life a whole lot easier—and potentially cheaper.
What is Amazon Business: And why should you care?
First launched in the US a decade ago, Amazon Business has become a global powerhouse, now serving more than eight million customers across 11 countries—including, as of today, Australia.
The idea is simple: bring the vast selection, competitive pricing, and speedy delivery that Amazon is known for, and tailor it specifically for business needs.
Lena Zak, Amazon Business Australia’s country manager, says the service fills a gap in the local market.
‘I really don’t think that anybody else can offer what we offer. We have millions of products on Amazon that really aren’t available anywhere else,’ she said.
One-stop shop for Australian businesses
Whether you’re a tradie after tools and boots, a daycare centre needing nappies and toys, or an office manager restocking stationery and coffee pods, Amazon Business wants to be your go-to.
Zak points out that, until now, businesses often had to visit multiple stores—sometimes in person, sometimes online—to get everything they needed.
Now, it’s all in one place. And it’s not just about convenience.
Amazon Business is rolling out features designed specifically for organisations, such as business-only pricing, quantity discounts, and the ability to manage multiple users and payment methods under one account.
That’s a big win for anyone who’s ever juggled receipts, purchase orders, and approval processes.
How much can you actually save?
Let’s talk dollars and cents.
Zak gave a couple of examples: a HPM Standard 4 Outlet Powerboard is $5.25 on Amazon Business, compared to $7 at Officeworks.
A 1kg bag of DeLonghi signature blend coffee beans is $26.64, undercutting The Good Guys and JB HI-FI, who both sell it for $29.
While savings will vary depending on the product, the potential is there for businesses to trim their costs—something that’s more important than ever.
Why now: The cost-of-doing-business crunch
Amazon’s timing couldn’t be better.
According to new research from YouGov, commissioned by Amazon Australia, a whopping 92 per cent of Australian small and medium businesses have seen their costs rise over the past three years.
For 79 per cent, rising operating costs are the number one concern, with the price of goods and supplies a major culprit.
Zak says Amazon Business is designed to help take the pressure off.
‘As operating costs keep rising, Amazon Business can help take some of that pressure off by offering real savings on everyday goods and supplies, but most importantly the convenience and simplicity of our business store and fast delivery options,’ she says.
Amazon’s growing Australian empire
Since launching its retail store here in 2017, Amazon has invested around $15 billion in Australia.
Last year alone, it raked in $7.7 billion in local revenue, with its e-commerce business growing by 23 per cent to $3.8 billion.
Its Prime subscription service, which offers same-day delivery and streaming, also saw a 39 per cent jump in revenue.
Goldman Sachs recently ranked Amazon as the second-largest online retailer in Australia, just behind Woolworths and ahead of Coles, Officeworks and JB HI-FI.
The supermarket giants are watching closely, with Woolworths’ CEO Amanda Bardwell noting that Amazon now covers about 40 per cent of its range in grocery, household and personal care products.
Coles’ boss Leah Weckert has even called Amazon ‘quite disruptive’ to their business model.
And the customer base is booming. Roy Morgan research found that Amazon Australia had 7.9 million customers as of June 2024, with 1.1 million new shoppers joining in the previous year alone.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re running a business, Amazon Business could be a game-changer—offering savings, convenience, and a huge range of products you might not find elsewhere.
For consumers, the increased competition could mean better prices and service across the board, as other retailers step up their game to keep pace.
Of course, there are questions to consider. Will Amazon’s dominance hurt local suppliers and small retailers?
Will the convenience of one-stop online shopping outweigh the benefits of supporting local businesses? And how will traditional retailers respond to this new challenge?
Your turn: Will you give Amazon Business a go?
As more options become available to Australian businesses, it’s natural to wonder what this means for your workplace or organisation.
Every business has different needs—so is Amazon Business something that could work for you? Have you already tried it, and if so, what has been your experience? Feel free to share your views or questions in the comments below—your perspective could help others weigh up the benefits and drawbacks.
Also read: Popular online retailer sued: 40,000 customers potentially affected
I probably don’t have to state this here since Aussies are far too clever – and blissfully skeptical – about such things, but PLEASE DO NOT SHOP AT AMAZON, especially B2B. Most of the stuff from there comes via China anyway, so best to stick to Temu and the like if you feel the need to buy this junk. One can find most things “Amazon” cheaper via local resellers anyway, and it’s certainly through infinitely more transparent means, in my humble opinion.