Amazon’s Irony: Sponsoring San Francisco’s Small Business Week

Controversial Sponsorship: Amazon’s Role in Small Business Week

Eileen McCormick, the store manager of Green Apple Books on Clement Street, was left speechless when she received an email from her local merchants association promoting San Francisco’s Small Business Week. The main sponsor? Amazon, the corporate giant notorious for contributing to the demise of independent bookstores and other small businesses. The situation was akin to Coca-Cola sponsoring Diabetes Awareness Week or Exxon Oil promoting a climate change event.

Adding insult to injury, the email invited McCormick to attend events such as “How to Start Selling in Amazon’s Store” and “Amazon Small Business Panel.” She found the situation to be in incredibly poor taste, insulting, and ridiculous.

San Francisco Small Business Week, organized by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, concluded last Saturday. The event’s website praised Amazon as a “small business champion,” highlighting the company’s alleged virtues. Rodney Fong, president and CEO of the local chamber, did not respond to requests for comment on the controversial sponsorship or disclose how much Amazon paid for the privilege. It’s worth noting that big businesses have sponsored Small Business Week in the past, with Meta (formerly Facebook) being a major sponsor last year.

Amazon spokesperson Kelsey Friedrich stated that the company is “proud” to have nearly 500,000 small and medium-sized businesses selling products on its site. Friedrich added that partnering with local organizations like the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is just one way Amazon helps create new opportunities for the small business community.

Challenges Faced by Small Businesses in San Francisco

However, Amazon’s sponsorship is just the tip of the iceberg for small business owners in San Francisco, a city that has never been particularly friendly to them and has recently experienced even more pandemic-fueled challenges. A new report from the city’s small business commission, with assistance from San Francisco State University’s economics department, reveals the myriad issues facing small business owners, extending far beyond Amazon’s influence.

These problems should concern anyone who cares about San Francisco and its future. Small businesses like Green Apple are the lifeblood of the city, and their survival is crucial for preserving jobs, a tax base, neighborhood character, and a sense of joy.

The report, based on an online survey sent to the city’s small business owners last fall, paints a grim picture. Over half of the respondents (53%) believe San Francisco is not a good place to own a small business, with Black and Middle Eastern small business owners being the most likely to hold this view. A staggering 87% of respondents said the pandemic had hurt their business, citing issues such as inflation, a shrinking customer base, hiring difficulties, supply chain disruptions, dirty streets, and a lack of parking.

To help small businesses thrive, respondents overwhelmingly supported increased police patrols in commercial neighborhoods and more non-police community ambassadors monitoring street behavior. They also favored street activation initiatives, such as parklets, outdoor dining, slow streets, and public art.

Cynthia Huie, president of the small business commission, said the report confirmed that the city can help small businesses by making streets cleaner and safer, streamlining permit processes, and reducing fees. However, she also emphasized that the responsibility of supporting small businesses falls on everyday San Franciscans.

In a city like San Francisco, residents can certainly avoid Amazon and opt for local hardware stores, boutiques, or independent bookstores. McCormick believes that conscious decisions to support local businesses and communities can make a significant difference. After all, it’s about choosing to strengthen the community around you rather than giving in to the convenience of Amazon.