Netcomm, an Italian e-commerce consortium, in collaboration with Althesys, conducted a study to analyze how digital retail supply chains can bring wealth and well-being to Italy's socio-economic system and identify the main drivers and obstacles. Findings include:
- In 2022, Italy's e-commerce supply chain will generate a value of more than 133.6 billion euros, equivalent to 7% of GDP and a figure that is 13.9% higher than the previous year.
- Taking into account induced, direct and indirect impacts, e-commerce supply chains will contribute to the creation of 1.6 million jobs (+12.4% compared to 2021), representing 6.4% of Italy's employed workforce, with a total payroll of 35 billion euros (+13.2% compared to 2021).
- Additionally, e-commerce supply chains will generate tax revenues of 49.6 billion euros in 2022 (9.1% of tax revenues), allowing the country to invest in public services and infrastructure, improve the well-being of local communities and support Italy's economic development.
“The notion of e-commerce as an 'enemy to be fought' is an outdated and baseless prejudice. The numbers are clear, and politics cannot ignore this evidence,” he said. Roberto Licia, President of NetCom“To date, 4.7% of Italian companies' total revenues have been recorded through e-commerce channels. This percentage is on the rise, almost doubling from 2.2% in 2014, while the growth potential in this sector remains very large. The degree of digitalization of Italian companies is still insufficient and they need supportive policies to seize the opportunities to penetrate international markets and increase exports through digital means. We also hope that the Government will further adopt a strategy of close cooperation with private companies, supporting the Italian system in which new technologies and innovations, such as artificial intelligence, become fundamental development assets for Italian companies.”
Supporting Amazon's supply chain
Investments in technology, innovation and talent drive the growth and development of the supply chain across Italy. Since 2010, we have invested more than €16.9 billion in Italy. These investments not only drive the development of the local supply chain, but also create stable, well-paid jobs. We have created 18,000 full-time jobs in Italy, paying Italian employees an average salary of around €50 million per month. Our total tax bill, combining direct and indirect taxes, exceeded €1.1 billion in 2022 (53% increase compared to €751 million in 2021). But our impact is not limited to our direct operations. The indirect impact of our investments is felt throughout the economy, creating more than 100,000 jobs in Italy, 40,000 of which are in the logistics and construction sectors, and 60,000 by Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using Amazon to expand their business.
Supporting small and medium-sized businesses
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Italian economy and we are actively committed to supporting their growth and internationalization journey. Globally, 61% of goods sold on Amazon come from third-party sales partners. A few weeks ago, we committed to supporting Italian companies selling on Amazon to reach 4 billion euros in overseas sales by 2025 (currently 3 billion euros). This goal has become a reality thanks to various initiatives carried out in partnership with institutions, academia and industry, including free digital training programs. Accelerate with Amazon; of Italian made showcase The company currently operates in 11 countries and stocks over 2 million products internationally. Made in Italy Dayallowing Amazon customers in eight countries to buy Italian products. Finally, the Memorandum of Understanding on “Made in Italy”, signed in April 2024 with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, aims to fight counterfeiting that harms Italian companies and consumers, and to promote and protect the authenticity of Italian products. These initiatives aim to support the digitalization, internationalization, promotion and excellence of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises in the global market.
Growth and Internationalization
To unlock the full potential of SMEs, Amazon has identified two key areas: strengthening digital skills and strengthening the European Single Market. The first area is a fundamental pillar of the evolution of Italian companies in the digital sector. Investing in training and professional development will enable all companies, regardless of size or sector, to make the most of the opportunities brought about by the digital transformation. Strengthening skills will encourage the adoption of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as increase the competitiveness and resilience of Italian companies in global markets. The second area, the development of a more integrated and harmonized European Single Market, is essential for Italian SMEs to successfully expand their activities across borders. By eliminating regulatory barriers and simplifying bureaucracy, companies will have easier access to new markets and growth opportunities. Furthermore, strengthening the European Single Market will foster the development of cross-border partnerships and the sharing of best practices, boosting innovation and competitiveness throughout the Italian economy.
