Since 2012, Amazon has invested over PLN 18.5 billion, focusing on the following key areas: infrastructure development, creating inclusive work environments, sustainability efforts, and launching new services and products – including solutions for Amazon.pl customers and SMEs.
The value of Amazon’s investments in Poland has been growing systemically since 2012. Independent macroeconomic consultancy Keystone found that Amazon has invested over PLN 18.5 billion in Poland to date; a positive driving force for the country’s economy. This includes both capital expenditure (such as infrastructure, fulfilment centers, corporate offices and development centers), and operating expenditure (such as salaries and the development of customer services). After all, Amazon’s mission is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, Earth’s best employer, and Earth’s safest place to work.
Keystone estimates that Amazon’s investments have exceeded PLN 20 billion to Poland’s GDP. “Amazon’s investments in Poland have positive, measurable results,” says Mourad Taoufiki, Country Manager, Amazon Poland. “They contribute to local employment and support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses, both in Poland and abroad. Thanks to them, customers shopping on Amazon.pl have access to 250 million products across 30 categories. Moreover, new investments fuel business with local contractors throughout the supply chain, creating new jobs in other sectors, such as logistics. Meanwhile, our investments have also gone towards creating an innovative and inclusive organizational culture.”
Investments that create jobs
Amazon has created a total of more than 70,000 direct and indirect jobs in Poland to date, including for those employed in the supply chain supporting Amazon’s operations and by Polish small and medium-sized businesses that sell through the store, reaching hundreds of millions of customers worldwide.
Amazon creates jobs for high-level experts, including IT specialists, as well as employees with diverse skills, both at its fulfillment and customer service centers in such departments as finance, human resources and project management, and at its Development Centers.
“Our new facilities, such as our robotics fulfillment center in ?wiebodzin, which launched in September 2021, create modern jobs that benefit local communities and provide a significant boost for the regional economy,” says Marian Sepesi, Regional Director Operations in CEE. “Our network of fulfillment centers creates jobs for entry-level employees without experience, specialized education or skills, but also for industry experts. We want everyone to be able to develop their career at Amazon. Thanks to them, together, we make life easier for our customers.”
Investments in brand protection and cooperating with SMEs
The number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selling on Amazon grew significantly in 2021; by about 40% compared to 2020. Thousands of SMEs in Poland are raising the scope and scale of their businesses together with Amazon. In 2021, they sold more than 25 million products on Amazon’s marketplaces (an average of 50 products every minute), compared to 15 million the previous year, achieving total export sales of over €750 million – a 25% year-on-year increase.
“Without a doubt, Polish SMEs selling on Amazon are an important element in European entrepreneurship – they exported products worth over €750 million in 2021 and created thousands of new jobs,” adds Mourad Taoufiki. “Local SMEs provide great value to our customers and we will continue to support them by creating a business community that fosters the growth of their businesses and the overall economy.”
According to Amazon’s annual Brand Protection Report, the number of active companies in Amazon’s Brand Registry in 2021 has increased to 700,000, up 40% from the previous year. At the same time, thanks to the effectiveness of automated tools, the number of reports of unfair practices fell by 25% year-on-year. Amazon’s drive to grow SMEs, and consequently provide advanced solutions for brand protection and intellectual value, has led Amazon to detect, seize and dispose of more than 3 million counterfeit products, preventing negative consequences for customers or re-sale elsewhere in the supply chain.
“We are committed to making every Amazon customer feel safe when shopping with us. No one likes to be cheated, which is why we provide our retail partners with brand protection tools and educate customers and encourage them to buy wisely and choose only genuine products. For us, it’s a matter of responsibility,” says Mourad Taoufiki.
Investments in sustainable development
In parallel with the development of its products, services and technology, Amazon is investing equally heavily in environmental protection and sustainable development. In September 2022, Amazon signed one of the largest power purchase agreements in Poland to buy renewable energy from a photovoltaic farm in Mi?kowice. The plant is expected to generate more than 120,000 MWh of clean energy per year, equivalent to the annual energy needs of about 57,000 Polish households.
“With this investment, Amazon is supporting the Polish government’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in Poland’s energy mix to at least 23 percent by 2030,” says Anna Papka, Public Policy Manager, Sustainability CEE at Amazon.
This is another significant investment made in sustainability, following, for example, the launch of Amazon’s robotics fulfillment center in ?wiebodzin in 2021. The site has a rooftop photovoltaic installation spanning 8,600 m², which comprises 3,900 solar panels and has a total capacity of 1,755 kWp, thanks to which the facility is partially powered by renewable energy. In addition, more than 40 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed at the site’s parking lot, meaning that over 80 EVs can be charged simultaneously. Similar solutions have been implemented at Amazon sites near ?ód? and in Okmiany.
Amazon invests in sustainability as this benefits everyone – the Earth, businesses, customers, and local communities. That’s why, as of 2021 and in line with customers’ growing expectations for eco-friendly solutions, Amazon is using paper bags, cardboard envelopes and cardboard boxes that are 100% recyclable across Europe, including Poland.
Investments in developing new services
Customers and their needs remain the fundamental driving force behind all of Amazon’s innovations. Since the launch of Amazon.pl in March 2021, we have focused on providing customers with an even wider selection of products available at great prices and with convenient, fast delivery. One example is the Amazon Prime subscription, which offers unlimited free home or Parcel Post delivery of millions of products, even next day and with no minimum order value; as well as access to entertainment, including popular and award-winning movies and TV shows like Amazon Originals, free video games and in-game content from Prime Gaming, as well as exclusive Prime deals. Anyone can try Prime by signing up for a free 30-day trial period at Amazon.pl/prime. After that, a Prime subscription is available for just 49 PLN per year or 10.99 PLN per month.
In 2022, Amazon celebrated Amazon.pl’s first anniversary with the launch of Amazon Super and the first Amazon Prime Day in Poland, as well as kicking off its print-on-demand service.
“Our goal is to provide an excellent service, continue to grow our product selection, and offer fast and reliable delivery. We are investing in technology and know-how to meet customer needs while enabling sellers to grow and use the latest e-commerce tools to their advantage. Together, we create an integrated community in which every element plays a key role,” says Mourad Taoufiki.
