US internet giant Amazon will block Australian shoppers from its international websites to counter new tax laws on online purchases, it announced Thursday (May 31). Amazon said Australian shoppers wanting to use its global platforms will instead be directed to its smaller Australian site, which offers much less for sale. (Photo: AFP/Mark Makela) New rules require internet retailers like the American behemoth to collect a 10 per cent goods and services tax on everything bought from overseas sites from Jul 1, including under the current tax-free threshold of AU$1,000 (US$760). As a result, Amazon said Australian shoppers wanting to use its global platforms will instead be directed to its smaller Australian site, which offers much less for sale. Amazon reportedly baulked at the massive administrative burden of tracking GST from all overseas transactions. "While we regret any inconvenience this may cause customers, we have had to assess the workability of the legislation as a … [Read more...] about Amazon blocks Australia from global sites over tax
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Amazon Web Services stands behind Vietnamese startup community
Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, is promoting the AWS Activate programme to support the growth of startups in Vietnam. Vietnamese startup Amanotes uses Aamazon Web Service's platform to go global According to Paul Chen, head of Solutions Architect, ASEAN at AWS, the company provides startups with the low cost, easy to use infrastructure needed to scale and grow. The AWS Activate programme will provide Vietnamese startups with the resources they need to quickly get started on AWS—including credits, training, and support. “We have Portfolio packages for startups in select accelerators, incubators, seed/VC funds, and other startup enabling organisations, as well as the Builders package for entrepreneurs just getting started,” he said, noting that some of the world’s hottest startups use AWS, including Airbnb, Lyft, and Slack. Amanotes is a successful Vietnamese startup with technology backup from AWS. The startup builds a music … [Read more...] about Amazon Web Services stands behind Vietnamese startup community
Amazon to double down on groceries; foray deeper into fresh produce in India
Amazon.com Inc expects groceries and household products to account for over half of its business in India in the next five years, as it moves to broaden offerings in the segment and foray into areas such as fresh produce. Amit Agarwal, the India head of Amazon, said in an interview on Friday that groceries and goods such as creams, soaps and cleaning products, were already the largest product category on Amazon in terms of number of units sold in India. “I would not speculate on when we would launch AmazonFresh but, absolutely, if you ask me the next five years of vision - from your avocados to your potatoes, and your meat to your ice cream - we’ll deliver everything to you in two hours,” he said. AmazonFresh, which launched more than a decade ago in the U.S. market, is the company’s flagship fresh grocery delivery service. In India, Amazon currently offers some groceries via a service named Pantry. It has also tied up with local vendors in four cities for … [Read more...] about Amazon to double down on groceries; foray deeper into fresh produce in India
Millions of online sellers to compete with Amazon in Vietnam
VietNamNet Bridge - Amazon will find it not easy to conquer the Vietnamese market as it will have to compete with millions of people selling products via social networks, especially Facebook, analysts say. There are millions of people selling products via social networks Mai Duong, 27, an officer in Hanoi who earns $1,000 a month, is a middle-income earner in Vietnam. However, selling goods via Facebook brings her additional income 2-3 times higher. Some people who sell products via social networks can earn up to $10,000 a month, and the trade has been developing so rapidly that the government is considering taxing the transactions. “There are numerous online sellers. But the market has a lot of potential,” she said. Tran Thanh Hai, a senior official of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), said Amazon and Alibaba will not target market segments that Vietnamese firms target. RELATED NEWS Amazon studying Vietnam market Popular Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Millions of online sellers to compete with Amazon in Vietnam
Donald Trump steps up attacks on Amazon
President Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on Amazon, suggesting the online retail giant is ripping off the US Postal Service. The US Post Office would lose $1.50 (£1.07) "on average for each package it delivers for Amazon", he tweeted, but supporters of Amazon dispute this. Mr Trump also said the Washington Post newspaper was a "lobbyist" for Amazon. Amazon owner Jeff Bezos also owns the Washington Post, which publishes stories unpalatable to the president. Like most mainstream media, the Post has reported on stories including Special Counsel Robert Mueller's continuing investigation into links between the Trump election campaign and Russia, as well has his alleged relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels. Saturday's edition details how three different legal teams are scrutinising the Trump Organization's accounts. Mr Trump's attacks on Amazon have seen its share price fall in recent days, amid concern that he might push for its power to be curbed by anti-trust laws. … [Read more...] about Donald Trump steps up attacks on Amazon