Barbadians are spending over $1 billion annually on e-commerce, but 97% of that money is flowing out of the country to international giants like Amazon and Shein. For investors and entrepreneurs, this staggering gap presents a high-potential opportunity to build and scale local and regional e-commerce ventures in Barbados.
According to George Connolly, digital strategist and council member of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), only about $246,000 of e-commerce revenue is currently being retained in the domestic economy—less than 3% of the total online spend.
“There’s a billion-dollar market here. But local businesses are only capturing a sliver of it,” Connolly said during a recent broadcast of Let’s Talk Business on VOB 92.9 FM.
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The Investment Opportunity
This gap opens the door for:
- Private investment in local e-commerce platforms
- Partnerships in last-mile logistics and fulfillment
- Digital payment infrastructure
- Marketing tech and customer acquisition tools
- SME onboarding services and content creation
Connolly revealed that the BCCI is already developing a national e-commerce marketplace, designed to support SMEs with zero upfront cost. This includes product photography, listing support, packaging, and delivery logistics — services that create multiple layers of opportunity for investors and tech entrepreneurs alike.
Logistics: A Sector Ripe for Innovation
The BCCI is in talks with the Barbados Post Office to serve as the platform’s logistics and fulfillment partner — a partnership that investors can help optimize and scale. Connolly envisions a regional logistics hub based in Barbados that can eventually service neighboring islands, improving delivery times and regional trade.
“Right now, getting a product to St. Kitts could take months. We want to change that — and there’s a real investment case to be made here.”
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E-Commerce with Purpose
Beyond profit, investing in Barbados’ digital economy offers a unique chance to:
- Strengthen local businesses
- Reduce capital flight
- Create skilled jobs in tech, logistics, and customer service
- Support economic resilience and innovation in the region
Connolly emphasized that every dollar spent on local e-commerce helps build national capacity, and that a locally-driven platform could transform the way Barbados — and the wider Caribbean — approaches trade, entrepreneurship, and technology.
Customer Experience as Competitive Edge
With global shoppers expecting fast, easy, and transparent service, the platform’s customer experience strategy will be crucial. There’s room for investment in:
- Customer support tech
- AI-based order tracking and feedback systems
- Reputation and review tools
“In digital commerce, bad customer service can sink a business overnight,” Connolly warned. “You need defined processes and dependable delivery.”
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A Call to Action
Barbados is offering a rare combination of market demand, public-private alignment, and digital readiness — creating fertile ground for early movers in the e-commerce and logistics sectors.
“Are we going to keep sending our money to Amazon?” Connolly asked. “Or are we going to build something here — for ourselves, our businesses, and our future?”
For investors looking to be part of a high-growth, impact-driven digital transformation, the time to enter Barbados’ e-commerce market is now.
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