Bed sheets to immunity herbs and spices: Amazon helps Indian cos go global

Amazon's Global Selling programme is clocking more than $1 bn in cumulative exports currently, is expected to generate $10 bn in cumulative sales by 2025 for Indian exporters

Amazon is helping small enterprises tap global markets and open new revenue streams, at a time when the pandemic has severely impacted the ability of such firms to sell products in the country.
 

The e-commerce giant said thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been able to sell their products globally, on the Amazon Global Selling platform.
 

The number of people staying at home has led to a spike in products from across categories such as textiles, organic foods, nutritional supplements, and toys.
 

“These are unprecedented times, and it is heartening to see Indian MSMEs stepping up to help customers across the world stay safe. At the same time, this is helping them provide livelihood to their employees,” said Abhijit Kamra, director (global trade), Amazon India.
 

“While we play the role of an enabler for brands to reach customers globally, it is the high quality and innovation of these entrepreneurs that is helping them win customers in international markets, which is truly helping local go global,” said Kamra.
 

One such seller, Deep Bajaj, said his exports business has been extremely crucial during these times. Bajaj is the founder of personal care products firm Sirona Hygiene.

“It has helped us balance the disruption caused by the lockdown and on-ground restrictions,” said Bajaj. He said his company saw 4x growth in the last few months, compared to the same time last year, thanks to people staying home, globally.
 

“We are now looking to expand our offerings beyond our regular line of products, in global markets, to include multi-purpose disinfectant sprays and hand sanitizers,” said Bajaj.
 

Sirona’s focus has been to break the stigma around intimate hygiene and create products like pain relief patches and bio-degradable sanitary bags.
 

The firm, which has been selling on Amazon since the last few years and now has customers in the US, Canada, Europe and West Asia.
 

Maharashtra-based NMK Textiles, which sells products under the brand ‘California Design Den’, has witnessed growth in its business even during the pandemic, as it was able to serve customers globally through Amazon.

It has not only sustained during the pandemic by selling on Amazon but the firm has also contributed at a time when personal protective equipment was in short supply. This is because customers are using products like bedsheets and pillow cases, to create do-it-yourself face masks.

“Selling to international customers with Amazon Global Selling has helped us serve customers and support over 400 people and families dependent on our business,” said Deepak Mehrotra, co-founder of California Design Den. The firm had joined Amazon’s programme three years ago.
 

With the pandemic spreading fast, consumers are also looking to boost their immunity. Maharashtra-based Naturevibe Botanicals said it was seeing a steep rise in demand for its products. On the Amazon US marketplace, consumers turned to Naturevibe’s product range, which includes health supplements, Ayurveda items, capsules, and essential oils.

“In present times, with people more focused on health, we have seen an increasing number of customers buying immunity-boosting herbs and spices, like turmeric and cloves,” said Rishabh Chokhani, founder and CEO of Naturevibe Botanicals.

The company said it saw nearly 3x growth in April 2020, compared to April 2019, with 337.2 per cent growth coming from spices and seasonings.
 

Amazon unveiled its Global Selling Programme in India in May 2015. It has clocked more than $1 billion dollars in cumulative exports. The platform is expected to generate $10 billion in cumulative export sales by 2025 for Indian exporters enrolled in this programme.
 

At present, over 60,000 Indian sellers use this platform to sell items in 15 Amazon marketplaces such as Amazon. com and Amazon.co.uk.