At the Amazon Business Exchange (ABX) 2024 in London, Procurement Magazine interviewed Shelley Salomon, Global VP of Amazon Business, to discuss the evolution and future priorities of Amazon Business.
Salomon oversees teams in ten countries and has over 20 years of experience at Amazon, specializing in enhancing business procurement through advanced analytics. She has led various Amazon teams, including Consumer Electronics and Softlines, and founded Amazon Shipping. Salomon holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from Tel Aviv University.
Amazon Business aims to bring the customer-friendly shopping experience of Amazon to the workplace, serving SMBs to large enterprises. Salomon explains that Amazon Business adapts Amazon’s selection, price, convenience, and speed for a business setting, addressing the differences customers face when making purchases for work.
Amazon Business was established to tap into the significant opportunities across global business segments. It leverages Amazon’s strengths, such as fast delivery and efficient logistics, to better serve business customers. The company’s digital and science-first mindset is expected to drive innovation and convenience in procurement.
Serving a wide range of customers, from small businesses to large institutions, Amazon Business helps optimize procurement processes. It offers advanced tools and technologies to save time and resources, supporting the core missions of its customers.
Amazon Business has achieved substantial growth, with over six million customers in 10 countries and an annualized sales figure of $35 billion. Notably, spending by its largest customers has increased by 60% year over year, and support for small businesses has grown, with Amazon Business customers increasing their spending with small businesses by more than 50%.
Salomon highlighted new features launched at ABX, such as an app center for third-party procurement services and budget management tools. These features aim to streamline procurement processes and support small and medium-sized businesses.
ABX 2024 was a significant event for Amazon Business, providing opportunities for interaction with customers and peers. The conference covered crucial topics like ESG, AI, and procurement, with notable speakers including Baroness Karren Brady CBE.
Amazon Business is focused on ESG, AI in procurement, and simplifying cross-border invoicing for European customers. Salomon believes these areas will drive future growth and innovation in the procurement space.