Sue Mitchell
April 20, 2017
AFR
E-commerce giant Amazon will launch a new wave of retail disruption on Thursday, calling for local retailers to join its global marketplace and confirming it will roll out its full retail offering in Australia over the next few years.
Amazon has confirmed it is actively searching for a large distribution and fulfilment centre in Australia, the first step to launching services here such as Amazon MarketPlace, Amazon Prime Now and eventually Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh.
“Amazon Web Services launched an Australian region in 2012, we launched a Kindle Store on Amazon.com.au in 2013, and we now have almost 1000 employees in the country,” Amazon said.
“The next step is to bring a retail offering to Australia, and we are making those plans now.
“We are excited to bring thousands of new jobs to Australia, millions of dollars in additional investment, and to empower small Australian businesses through Amazon Marketplace.”
Company Profile
The Company is a specialty retailer of home consumer products with particular focus on consumer electronics, software (including music, games and movies), whitegoods and appliances.
Amazon has previously refused to confirm or deny growing speculation that it is preparing to roll out its full suite of retail services in Australia as early as 2017.
The global e-commerce giant has now broken its silence as it steps up negotiations with suppliers, property owners and logistics providers and advertises for staff.
Expressions of interest
On Thursday Amazon’s Australian website, which sells Kindle devices and Kindle content, will carry a banner calling for expressions of interest from Australian companies keen to set up shop on Amazon Marketplace, which enables third-party sellers to sell their own products alongside Amazon products.
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