In response to Amazon’s plans for Handmade, an Etsy-like sub-brand that would sell handcrafted items through Amazon’s fulfillment network, Etsy announced in a September blog post that it would be launching a new program aimed at connecting individual sellers with small manufacturers capable of producing their goods. The Seattle-based retailer says the site, which will carry everything from $30 walnut cufflinks from Australia to $325 handmade quilts from Wisconsin, sprang from customer feedback and site searches for crafty items. With items available more than 60 countries, goods are spread across seven categories – Jewelry, Home Décor, Artwork, Stationery and Party Supplies, Kitchen and Dining, Furniture, and Bedding – and a few are even eligible for Prime.
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Though Amazon has emerged as the de facto e-commerce emporium of choice for millions, a few would argue that much of the local shopping experience has been lost in the process. The handmade company has set a 3.5 percent fee on overall sales and takes a 20 cent listing fee per item.
By comparison, Etsy’s scope is a lot broader, with 1.5 million sellers and 21.7 million buyers reported in June 30. Sellers have to apply and be vetted to check on the materials they use and to ensure all products are made by hand. Customers already have enough options on Amazon.com to find manufactured goods if that’s what they’re after, a spokeswoman said.
Now there is Handemade by Amazon, a new branch of the online store “featuring genuinely handmade items crafted and sold directly from artisans”. To qualify, all products must be factory-free and made by hand.
The divide on manufacturing highlights the challenge that platforms for handmade craft sellers face: They want to preserve the personal nature of handmade goods but also help their sellers (and themselves) grow and make more money.
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“It’s really about providing access to values-aligned producers, often in the sellers’ own community”, he said.
