The Hon. Josh Frydenberg, Federal Treasurer, has launched Australia’s one-stop-shop for consumers looking to support Aussie businesses.
All the products will have a “tick of approval” to indicate that they’re Australian made and owned.
“Buy Aussies Now” is Australia’s largest online marketplace supporting locally owned business across nine categories, women’s, men’s, kids and baby, home and lifestyle, beauty and health, food and beverage, toys and games, pets, and gifts.
After a soft launch during the post-Christmas sales, the marketplace already has 15,000 products as the 6,500 currently registered businesses begin to activate their “stores” on Buy Aussie Now.
Originally started as an Instagram page in March 2020, Buy Aussie Now’s aim was to respond to the pressures faced by small Australian businesses in the wake of the bushfires and the pandemic.
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The company raised $850,000 in its initial “start-up” phase to develop the online store, and is now in the market for its significant phase two raise.
Chris White, Buy Aussie Now CEO, is excited to be working with what will be hundreds of thousands of Australian businesses over the next few years.
He said, “2020 taught us all that it is important for each of us to always support our friends, family, and local communities.”
“We really can make a difference with every conscious shopping decision that we make. So many Australians want to support Aussie-owned and made businesses but haven’t had a spot to go. Buy Aussie Now is the answer.”
“In effect, Buy Aussie Now is an Aussie made and owned Amazon. But the big difference is that the profits and importantly jobs, stay here in Australia. This is something we are all very proud of and is an important part of our ongoing legacy.”
“The support of the Australian Government throughout the pandemic, which continues today, even with state and territory Governments closing borders and adopting lockdowns, has helped many businesses survive.”
“We are thrilled to have the Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg officially open Buy Aussie Now in what we believe is a game-changer for Aussie SME’s.”
According to Roy Morgan, nine out of ten Australians prefer to shop Australian made and owned, yet until now, there was no “go-to” destination to shop locally.
To mark the official opening, Buy Aussie Now has unveiled a ‘tick of approval’ so shoppers can identify business that are one hundred per cent Australian owned and products that are one hundred per cent Australian-made.
Once a business has been approved as a ‘seller’ on Buy Aussie Now, they will be able to use the tick on their websites, marketing, social media, and products at no charge.
“The Buy Aussie Now ‘tick of approval’ will be free for all Australian businesses once they have been approved for sale. Every cent counts for small businesses, as many are in survival mode, and this is a simple way that can help them drive additional sales and marketing support.”
“We know the free Buy Aussie Now tick of approval will become shorthand for homegrown quality, supporting local families and communities, and the assurance that profits from all sales stay right here in Australia.”
The tick of approval will become officially available over the next ten to twelve weeks, as Melbourne’s Ministry of Chocolate is the first to receive it during Friday’s launch.
