What is Amazon Business? The giant's money-saving arm explained
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Few people need Amazon explained to them.
The retail behemoth has shaped online shopping since it was founded in an American garage in 1994.
Originally a place to buy cheap books, the site quickly grew alongside an infant internet and today is one of the biggest brands on the planet. We know it as the place to order emergency loo rolls and pet food, a destination for DIY odds and ends, or to panic-buy emergency gifts for next-day delivery just in the nick of time.
And yet, Amazon’s retail section is just one of many strings on its bow. The company offers movie and TV streaming on its Prime Video platform, music galore through Amazon Music and a virtual library with all the books you could read or listen to (and then some) via its Kindle and Audible channels. Even children are catered for with Kids+, showing age-appropriate content for your little ones.
What many don’t realise is that Amazon offers a Business section too. This venture is a dedicated area for companies to order everything they need to keep their business running smoothly.
From local hairdressing salons and pet groomers to giants like the US Air Force, Amazon Business supports more than a million businesses large and small on their office supplies and procurement needs.
Who can apply for an Amazon Business account?
Anyone can join, whether you’re a sole trader, small business owner or nurturing a side hustle.
Sign up for a free Amazon Business account and you’ll unlock a range of helpful perks, from sourcing stock that comes with a VAT invoice, exclusive products available to businesses only and tiered discounts to make bulk orders less of a financial burden. There are even special Amazon Business credit options to settle cashflow turbulence, which all businesses run into now and again.
The platform works like the usual Amazon site, but with added business-friendly benefits. And like the main site, you can also sign up for a Prime Business account to unlock even more perks.
Why should you sign up to Amazon Business?
If you’re ordering stock from Amazon’s main site anyway, why not benefit from lower business pricing through this dedicated enterprise? The savings are there to be had.
Meanwhile features like invoice management, speedy delivery and priority access to many of Amazon’s seasonal sales help to keep you one step ahead of the competition.
What business doesn’t want that?