Page 24 - BOSS Today Issue 26

Special Report - Amazon

0% 3%
13% 9%

55% 27%

Figure 1: OP Figure 2: Interest In
Purchasing From Buying All OP Items
Amazon By UK From Amazon: UK (% Base)
Respondents (% Base)
Base: all 400 respondents
Base: all 400 respondents Source: MWA
Source: MWA

16%

39% 37%
2%

n Yes - both Amazon & Amazon market place n Yes, definitely
n Yes - Amazon only n Yes, probably
n Yes - Amazon market place only n Probably not
n No n Definitely not
Don’t know/refused n Don’t know/refused

Amazon Fans from an industry-wide trend Interestingly, it was evident age). Certainly, on average,
Another of the perhaps towards online purchasing that even many of those the expected share of their OP
surprising findings of the (indeed, it is no surprise that the respondents whose purchasing from Amazon is
research was that these survey found that the majority organisations did not currently forecast by these respondents
Amazon customers tend to of respondents in each country buy OP from Amazon still to increase steadily over the
be very enthusiastic about now placed orders for OP used the company for price next three years.
the company: when asked to electronically), but it is also clear comparison exercises and Indeed, as Figure 2 shows,
indicate the disadvantages of that the company is regarded found it to be competitive. when asked whether – in
buying OP from Amazon, few by OP buyers as the leading principle – they believed that
could find anything negative to exponent of this model: How It Looks it was possible for Amazon
report about their experiences Downstream to be used for all of their OP
of the company. Conversely, “Simply the best online shopping Many of the questions covered purchases, a very significant
when asked to report the experience. Fast response.” in the research investigated share (46%) of respondents in
advantages of buying OP from - UK OP Buyer the respondents’ vision of the the UK stated that they could
Amazon, the respondents future of their OP purchasing, – in theory – envision this
were full of praise, particularly In addition, the company is and it was clear that – in both scenario, with 9% stating that it
concerning the company’s perceived to be ‘hungrier’ than countries – many expected was ‘definitely’ possible.
low prices and wide product conventional OP resellers: their OP purchasing not only to Again, the reports show that
range: both being key factors switch further towards online there were some variations
in respondents’ choice of OP “Other companies that we have sourcing, but also to a greater here by size of company and
supplier. used for years take us for granted; use of Amazon (although age of respondent, with the
There is no doubt of course Amazon wants our business.” the extent of this varies by overall picture being similar in
that Amazon has benefitted - UK OP Buyer company size and respondent the US.

24 BOSS TODAY | February/March 2015

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