The American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (AmCham Luxembourg) New Year reception – the organization's flagship annual event, held at the Spuerkeess Auditorium – brought together business leaders, government officials and diplomats for an evening of networking and insightful discussions. Mariangela Marseglia, our incoming Vice President for European Stores, delivered the following keynote address:

Good evening, distinguished guests,

I’m Mariangela Marseglia, and I’m honored to be here tonight as the incoming Vice President of European Stores at Amazon.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to AmCham Luxembourg for organizing this reception, and to Spuerkees for hosting us in this beautiful and historic space.

My predecessor, Jorrit Van der Meulen, has often spoken about Amazon's and our staff's commitment to Luxembourg. As my family and I settle in, I am already impressed by Luxembourg’s beauty and convenience. Moreover, after exploring the education and housing options in recent weeks, I have to admit being very impressed by their quality!

As I step into my new role, I would like to reaffirm that commitment and share a few things you might not know about our business here.

Luxembourg has been integral to Amazon’s European operations since we opened our first office in the Grund more than 20 years ago, and our investments reflect that. Since 2010, we’ve invested more than €9 billion in Luxembourg, including €1 billion in 2023 alone.

These investments have contributed significantly to the local economy and job market. In 2023, our investments contributed more than €758 million to Luxembourg’s GDP and indirectly supported more than 6,000 jobs across various sectors, including construction, logistics and professional services, according to estimations from the consultancy Keystone Strategy.

But our commitment goes beyond investment. We’re dedicated to being an active, responsible member of Luxembourg’s business community. We believe in collaborative growth, where Amazon’s success translates to success for small and medium-sized businesses, our employees and the communities where we operate.

Looking ahead, I’d like to share four key areas we’ll be focusing on this year. These areas align with our mission to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, and Earth’s best employer. These are:

  1. Investing in our workforce: Over the past 21 years we have grown to become one of the country’s largest employers, with more than 4,250 employees representing more than 100 nationalities. Just last week, Amazon was recognized as one of the top employers in Luxembourg and in Europe. Our success is built on the dedication and talent of our employees, and we’ll continue to invest in their development and create a work environment where people thrive.
  2. Supporting small and medium-sized businesses: In 2023, more than 280,000+ European SMEs selling on Amazon recorded over €20 billion in export sales. These businesses are the backbone of European economies, and we’re committed to providing them with the tools and platform they need to thrive in the digital marketplace.
  3. Sustainability: We’re doubling down on our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and help our customers make more sustainable choices.
  4. Innovation: From AI to drone delivery, we’re exploring new technologies that have the potential to improve people’s lives and transform the retail landscape. Innovation is part of Amazon’s DNA, and we’re excited about the possibilities these advancements hold for Luxembourg and for Europe. As an example, to make shopping on Amazon even more convenient, personalized, and enjoyable for our customers, we're introducing artificial intelligence to enhance our shopping and selling experiences.

Finally, Paul Schonenberg (Chairman & CEO, Amcham Luxembourg) also mentioned the topic of geopolitical uncertainties and its impact to transatlantic trade, I believe I am not alone when I say this is also a topic we follow closely.

As we embark on a new year, I'm looking forward to deepening our relationships within the business community, and I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together. It is my strong belief that by working together, we can drive innovation, create jobs and contribute to Luxembourg’s economic growth.

I look forward to meeting many of you during the networking session and exploring how we can collaborate to better serve customers, businesses and communities across Europe.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you all a prosperous New Year.

For additional photos from the event, click here.