$500 billion e-commerce giant Amazon has officially launched in Australia amid warnings that its effect will be felt across a number of industries, including printing, publishing and media.
“The launch of Amazon will disrupt a lot of industries due to the extensive nature of their offering,” Ricky Chanana, MD of News Corp tech business Unruly ANZ told newsmediaworks.com.au. “Amazon’s mantra has always been ‘sell everything to everyone’. This means anyone who is in, or plans to be in the business of offering goods to consumers will be impacted by this e-commerce giant.”
It's still unclear exactly how the world's largest online retailer will impact Australian businesses and the printing industry has so far largely adopted a wait-and-see approach.
Amazon already offers print-on-demand book publishing through its CreateSpace publishing and distribution partner, which sells a full array of editing, book design, and marketing services. Amazon’s Kindle business offers on demand self-publishing in digital and print, including paperbacks. The company now sells Kindle e-reader devices, audio books and content through its Australian website.
A quick search of the new amazon.com.au website reveals an extensive range of new office printing machines for sale by sellers across the country, including: Fuji Xerox DocuCentre SC 2020 A3 Colour Multifunction Printers ($5,144.95); Fuji Xerox DocuPrint A4 Colour Laser Printers ($1,234.95 + $9.95 delivery); OKI A4 Digital Colour Laser Printers ($731); OKI C711N Colour Digital Page Printer ($1,755); Brother Direct thermal Colour 300 label printers ($220); Brother 3-inch Label & Receipt Mobile Printers ($819.95); HP Color Laser Jet Printer ($5,162.95); HP Laserjet Pro M252dw ($323.95); Fargo ID Card Printer ($2,687); and many others.
There’s also printing inks, toner cartridges and printing paper from major brands including Epson, Brother and Canon.
Australian businesses can sell their products to customers across Australia and around the world through Amazon Marketplace with no product listing fee.
Essence Media MD Steve Allen says print and digital news media are bracing for the impact of the disruption in the market. Allen criticised the free promotion that Amazon has received through the press, especially since the e-retailer will have such a large impact on publishing.
“It will make things tougher again, you wouldn’t think things would get tougher,” says Allen. “The pressure that is already on traditional media, particularly newspapers, Amazon will only add to it. There is no question that there is going to be a squeeze on profit margins.”
Chanana says print will remain an important medium for advertisers to reach and mobilise consumers.
“Print media will remain a hugely important medium for advertisers, regardless of Amazon being an online only platform. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Amazon serving to complement advertisers print media strategies – with co-branded ads for example.
“Print media is a valuable part of any media mix and advertisers are aware of that. Many connected consumers are still big fans of print media – with things like weekly catalogues providing the catalyst for an online shopping experience. The emergence and adoption of innovative tech like NFC and mobile links will further enable this.”