Thriving Small Businesses in Kentucky Demonstrated by Amazon, According to Recent Study

In the ever-evolving world of retail, small businesses in rural areas and small towns across America are thriving on Amazon's online marketplace. The 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report showcases this success, with sales for local sellers increasing by 30% year over year and averaging over $180,000 annually.

Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, launched in 2006, has played a significant role in this growth. FBA allows small businesses to offer fast, reliable shipping while focusing on product development. This access to logistics capabilities, previously available only to large retailers, has enabled entrepreneurs to reach customers well beyond their local markets.

The success of small businesses on Amazon continues to be demonstrated, with more than 20 million items moved by these sellers in 2024 alone. Over 2.5 billion items have been exported globally by small businesses on Amazon since 2000. This access has even enabled same-day or next-day delivery for many items, accelerating sales growth for small businesses.

One such success story is Heirloom Traditions Paint, a small business based in Taylorsville, Kentucky. Founded by Paula Blankenship in 2013, the company has seen success through Amazon's marketplace, although the exact sales figures are not specified. The success of Heirloom Traditions Paint serves as an example of the success small businesses are experiencing on Amazon's marketplace.

Nationally, these sellers have generated over $2.5 trillion in sales over the past 25 years. In Kentucky, the growth in sales for small businesses on Amazon is significant. However, there are no publicly available specific records or reports detailing which small businesses in Kentucky have achieved substantial success on Amazon's online marketplace in 2024 with an average balance exceeding $180,000 and sales surpassing 20 million items.

Amazon's infrastructure has been instrumental in enabling this success. The company's Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky, is the largest hub worldwide, spanning 800,000 square feet. This infrastructure has enabled Amazon to ship over 80 billion items through the FBA program since its inception.

In conclusion, the 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report showcases the transformation in retail, with independent sellers accounting for over 60% of Amazon's total sales. The growth and success of small businesses on Amazon's marketplace continue to be significant, offering a promising future for entrepreneurs in rural and small towns across America.

Thriving Small Businesses in Kentucky Demonstrated by Amazon, According to Recent Study