Technology

Amazon to open Irish website next year with promise of faster deliveries

Online retailer yet to put a timeline on date of its launch

Amazon already employs about 500 people at its fulfillment centre in Dublin. Photograph: Karl Hussey

Ciara O'Brien
Thu May 9 2024 - 06:01

Online retail giant Amazon is to finally launch a new Irish-focused store, with Amazon.ie opening next year.

The company has yet to put a date on the launch or the number of jobs it will create, but it is understood there will be a retail team based in Dublin.

Amazon already employs about 500 people at its fulfillment centre in Dublin, and a further 6,000 between Cork (where it has a customer service operation), Dublin and Drogheda in roles such as data engineers, operations management and finance.

The Irish store will allow Amazon’s customers here to get delivery of products faster and avoid additional customs charges that may have been incurred when buying from the UK or the US. It will also carry a wide selection of products, including more Irish-based items, and make it easier for Irish customers to return products.

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John Boumphrey, Ireland and UK country manager at Amazon, said the new store underscored the company’s continued commitment to Ireland.

“This is a natural evolution, a natural next step,“ he said. “Ever since we’ve had stores in Europe, we have had customers in Ireland and we‘ve seen them grow over time.”

The move comes following the opening of Amazon’s first fulfilment centre in Ireland in 2022, which solved many of the delivery issues caused by Brexit. Prior to the UK’s exit from the European Union, Irish shoppers were directed to Amazon UK for good and services, including Amazon’s Prime delivery service. However, some smaller merchants using Amazon to sell their products no longer deliver to Ireland since Brexit officially kicked in.

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Amazon recently signed a five-year deal with An Post to provide more convenient and faster deliveries and returns, providing an important support ahead of the Irish store’s launch alongside the delivery station in Ballycoolin and the fulfilment centre in Baldonnell.

The new store could also encourage more Irish merchants to sign up with the company. According to Amazon’s figures, more than 1,000 small and medium-sized Irish businesses sell through Amazon, generating up to €150 million in export sales in 2022.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist

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