The UK’s third Clicks and Mortar pop-up shop backed by Amazon opens today in Edinburgh's Waverley Mall.
The outlet is showcasing products from more than 20 young online brands selling on in physical stores for the first time.
Amazon is opening the Edinburgh shop in partnership with mall owner Moorgarth, Enterprise Nation, Square and Direct Line for Business as part of a year-long pilot programme to give new online brands a high street presence.
Clicks and Mortar has already opened in Manchester and Cardiff and will appear in seven other UK cities. The featured brands will also meet business advisers to help them scale, both online and in physical retail.
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “As well as providing these small online businesses with a physical space to trade for the first time, we’ll have advisers on hand from Scottish Enterprise to offer free advice on how to scale their businesses, both offline and online.
“We feel it’s important to ensure Clicks and Mortar stores benefit not just the small firms and their customers, but also the wider local economy.”
Amazon has been accused by high street retailers of undercutting them by operating with a low-tax model that gives them an unfair advantage, and some politicians have called for an 'Amazon tax' on large online retailers.
But the ecommerce giant insists it pays its way and says the Clicks and Mortar project is supporting a high street which has suffered from closures, brands going out of business and sales declines over the last few years.
Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager for Amazon, said: “Amazon has been a growth engine for millions of small businesses around the world, and we’re thrilled to work with Enterprise Nation to help up and coming brands scale their businesses, both in-store and online.
“From giving up-and-coming online businesses the chance to experience physical retail for the first time, to funding the training of full-time apprenticeships and helping to increase SME exports, Amazon is committed to supporting the growth of small businesses in Scotland - helping them boost the economy and create jobs.”
Daryll Bunce, director of New Revenue Solutions at Moorgarth, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming Clicks and Mortar to Waverley Mall. Incorporating this initiative in the mall is essential in supporting our drive for relevant innovation and ensuring that these small businesses are able to experience a physical retail outlet to form a part of Edinburgh's infrastructure."
