In a powerful collaboration underscoring the importance of resilience and innovation among small businesses, Amazon and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) have jointly released new findings celebrating the performance of Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global economy.
According to the newly unveiled SME Impact Report, approximately 2,500 Austrian SMEs sold products through Amazon in 2024, with 95% of them reaching international markets and generating €600 million in export sales. Remarkably, more than 60% of these businesses operate from rural areas, highlighting how digital tools and e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, can empower local economies and bridge urban-rural divides.
“With their flexibility and resilience, SMEs play a transformative role in job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth,” said Professor Rico Baldegger, ICSB Board Member. “They are the heartbeat of local communities and a key to global prosperity.”
Austrian SMEs are now selling 40 products every minute globally via Amazon, fueled by robust infrastructure and AI-powered tools that enhance efficiency and global reach. SMEs using Amazon benefit from logistical support, data analytics, and marketing tools that allow them to scale sustainably and remain competitive across Europe and beyond.
Key Insights from the Report:
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€ 500 million or more of Austrian SMEs’ Amazon sales occurred within the European Union, notably in Germany, France, and Italy.
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Cities like Vienna and regions like Carinthia experienced strong growth, with exports increasing by 15.6% and 20%, respectively.
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Austrian SMEs contribute to 65% of national employment and 56% of private sector value creation, according to SME Research Austria.
Examples of success include:
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Shoes4Dancers, a family-run business from Steyr, is exporting dance footwear globally thanks to Amazon’s reach.
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Bauernladen Helene, a Vienna-based organic specialty food retailer, now earns 25% of its sales online after adopting e-commerce during the pandemic.
To foster continued growth, Amazon, in partnership with Austria’s Economic Chamber (WKO), has launched initiatives. One of them is Quickstart Online, a free platform that has helped over 50,000 SMEs across the DACH region build digital skills.
“Successful SMEs don’t just react to trends—they anticipate them,” said Yorck von Mirbach, Austria Lead at Amazon.
This partnership between ICSB and Amazon celebrates not only the innovation of small businesses but also their resilience in the face of economic uncertainty. As the global community prepares to commemorate UN MSME Day on June 27, this Austrian case study stands as a model of how technology, policy, and global collaboration can empower MSMEs to thrive.
