Amazon Might Just Become the New Etsy With This Move
There are typically two kinds of shoppers: those who want to find something quick and have it delivered ASAP and those who are willing to spend a little extra time looking for that perfectly personalized present. But now it’s looking like Amazon might be merging the two experiences into one. Introducing: Amazon Handmade.
The online retail giant launched the new addition to their site yesterday morning. The new division includes 80,000 items from about 5,000 sellers in 60 countries. Amazon Handmade will start with six categories: home, jewelry, artwork, stationery + party supplies, kitchen + dining and baby. Just like on Etsy, you’ll be able to find those quirky homemade goodies (like an avocado necklace and an astronaut cat mug) on the site in addition to the super artisanal goods.
This launch comes shortly after news that Etsy is now allowing sellers to outsource their manufacturing, an amendment to the vendor rules that is not going down very well with some who think it goes against Etsy’s roots. Enter: Amazon’s strict policy on that topic. According to The New York Times, artisans must give details of their manufacturing process including what tools and machines they rely on in order to sell in the handmade section.
So, what does all this mean for the OG handmade marketplace? Sure Etsy racks in about $2 billion a year in sales and is by no means a small business, but still, this does feel like a sort of David and Goliath type situation when compared to Amazon’s $75 billion dollar business. But on the flipside, Amazon’s global presence could mean a whole lot more traffic for budding makers.
To this, Etsy’s chief executive Chad Dickerson says, “We believe we are the best platform for creative entrepreneurs, empowering them to succeed on their own terms. Etsy has a decade of experience understanding the needs of artists and sellers and supporting them in ways that no other marketplace can.” Touché, Etsy.
Will you shop from Amazon Handmade? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
