Throughout the year, we’ve heard about the impact of COVID-19 on US small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Unfortunately, many were forced to shut their doors. But what we haven’t heard as much about is the startling rate of new businesses launching.
According to an analysis of US Census Bureau data by the Wall Street Journal, “applications for the employer identification numbers that entrepreneurs need to start a business have passed 3.2 million so far this year, compared with 2.7 million at the same point in 2019.” This number includes freelancers and contractors who may have lost their jobs during the pandemic. But even if those workers are excluded and we only look at business owners who employ others, we still see a significant increase. New filings reached 1.1 million through mid-September, a 12% increase over the same period last year — and the most since 2007.
All of this is to say that businesses are popping up at the fastest rate we’ve seen in more than a decade.
At Alibaba.com, our mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere and help US SMBs succeed. And our upcoming annual Super September sale event promises unmatched discounts and new services, tools, and features to help SMBs get ahead.
Super September, our biggest sale event of the year, gives SMBs access to the best deals on the market, like up to 40% off millions of products across all 30+ categories. Other notable things you can take advantage of during Super September include:
Sourcing from a seller virtually — that you’ve never met before — can seem daunting. Will the product be up to your standards? Is the seller who they say they are? To make it easier for SMBs, we recently launched the Elite Partner Event. The Elite Partner Event allows buyers to find quality products and sellers in one place. This vetted group of global sellers features innovative, new technologies and products across a variety of categories to help businesses gain a competitive edge and stand out from the crowd.
Over the past year, we’ve seen large-scale supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19. From congested ports to labor shortages, the various factors contributing to supply chain disruptions are making it harder for shipments to get from point A to point B — severely affecting businesses of every size. But during Super September, you can source your products with ease. You’ll be guaranteed vessel space on some trade routes for products that you source during Super September.
Knowing what products are trending can help you make the right moves and get ahead. Identifying and preparing for market changes will allow you to source up-and-coming products to sell. That’s why we’ll be publishing our “Must Stock Guides” during Super September, inspired by Google Analytics and different emerging trends to help you understand what products to invest in.
So, whether you just started your business this year or have years in the game, this Super September is your time to stock up and find the best deals on Alibaba.com from September 1-30, 2021.
This week's #B2BTuesday Tip:
Always stay up to date with the changing trends. Try to discover what products are becoming popular before they spike. This way, you can be the first to market and stand out from your competition.
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