In a major announcement, Amazon revealed plans to launch a dedicated Irish website in 2025 – Amazon.ie. The move marks a significant expansion of Amazon’s European operations, and is likely to change the face of eCommerce for medium-sized Irish businesses.
The confirmation of this new Irish store is expected to bring a host of opportunities and challenges for local businesses and consumers. In this article, we’ll look at the implications of the announcement, and explore how it could enhance customer experiences and impact Irish brands.
Amazon.ie – what does it mean for Irish customers?
The launch of Amazon’s Irish website is great news for Irish customers and the wider Irish economy. Over 1,000 Irish small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) already sell on Amazon, generating over €150 million in sales revenue. That will likely increase significantly in 2025 when Amazon.ie opens its virtual doors.
Amazon.ie will streamline the shopping experience for consumers, and provide several key benefits:
Improved delivery time
The most obvious benefit will be faster delivery times. Amazon will be able to reduce shipping times, making next-day or one-day delivery available for a greater range of products. Such an improvement is likely to be very popular among Irish consumers, who often have to endure longer waiting times compared to the average shopper in Great Britain, for example.
Lower shipping costs
Alongside faster deliveries, the costs involved with shopping on Amazon are also expected to reduce. Without the need for cross-border shipping, customers will save money on postage and other fees. It’s particularly significant after Brexit, which has seen many Irish shoppers face increased shipping costs when ordering from the UK.
Better customer support
Amazon’s Irish store will enhance the customer experience too. From better customer support to more straightforward returns and exchanges, Amazon.ie is likely to eliminate many of the common problems and frustrations people in Ireland have previously encountered.
The impact on the Irish eCommerce market
The arrival of Amazon’s Irish website in 2025 will be a seismic development for the Irish eCommerce market. As one of the world’s largest online retailers, Amazon.ie will inevitably reshape the competitive landscape and provide new opportunities and challenges for local businesses.
Greater competition for Irish businesses
Perhaps the biggest challenge for Irish SMEs currently selling products through their own website is the arrival of such a well-known brand. Amazon’s extensive product range and superior logistical capabilities make it the number one choice for millions of customers when it comes to purchasing anything online.
Even if you’re currently enjoying strong sales through your website, you’ll have to work even harder to keep that level up when this new store arrives. Amazon’s ability to offer competitive pricing and fast delivery means it risks overshadowing the websites of businesses that have their own dedicated online store.
Businesses will need to invest more in their marketing efforts to maintain visibility and expand their online presence, or face many of their customers shifting to Amazon.
But despite this challenge, independent sellers will still be able to compete by focusing more on niche products, exceptional customer service, and personalised shopping experiences for Irish customers that Amazon isn’t able to offer.
Opportunities for SMEs selling through Amazon
Whilst Amazon’s launch of its new Irish store may seem a daunting prospect, it will also provide a golden opportunity for Irish SMEs to expand their reach and grow as a business. Selling through Amazon could provide several advantages.
Access to millions of customers every day
By listing products on Amazon.ie, small businesses will potentially be able to serve customers in far greater numbers than ever before. Millions of Irish customers are expected to use this new online store every day, meaning smaller businesses will benefit from greater exposure and brand recognition.
Building trust and credibility much faster
For large numbers of customers, Amazon is the first (and sometimes only) place they’ll look when they want to buy something online. Therefore, being visible on Amazon will help Irish businesses build trust with new buyers more quickly than they might achieve on their own.
Using advanced tools to boost sales
Amazon provides sellers with a vast range of tools, such as detailed analytics, advertising options, and customer insights that aren’t readily available elsewhere. These tools can help SMEs optimise listings, target a specific audience, and refine marketing strategies to maximise sales.
The launch of Amazon.ie introduces greater competition, but also provides a potentially more lucrative platform for Irish SMEs. Adapting to the change will be crucial for medium sized Irish businesses looking to thrive in the evolving eCommerce landscape.
Amazon’s Irish store vs. selling independently
When choosing between selling on Amazon or through your own website, there are several key factors to consider. Each option has different advantages and drawbacks regarding traffic, competition, costs, and customisation.
Traffic
As previously mentioned, Amazon is the most significant platform for eCommerce businesses internationally. Amazon stores attract millions of shoppers daily. This new store will mean you can tap into a huge existing customer base without having to invest heavily in your own dedicated online store.
Generating traffic to an independent website is time-consuming and costly. But, whilst it might be harder to attract the same levels of traffic, it provides greater freedom and flexibility for targeted marketing, making it better for niche audiences.
Competition
Online Amazon stores are highly competitive, with numerous sellers offering very similar or identical products. Competing with established sellers also involves mastering the search algorithm, gaining positive reviews, and potentially investing in Amazon Ads to stand out.
In comparison, selling through your own site means you control the competitive environment. You can build customer loyalty more easily through your own site, by offering exclusive local pricing, loyalty programmes and unique perks that aren’t available on Amazon.
Costs
Selling on Amazon can often be more expensive than you think. It involves various fees, including referral fees, fulfillment fees (if you’ve decided to use Fulfillment by Amazon), and storage fees. Maintaining visibility can often require additional spending on sponsored ads and promotions too.
Selling via your own website comes with its own costs – including website development and maintenance, hosting, marketing, and logistics. But it also provides you with greater control over pricing, and allows you to avoid the higher fees associated with selling on Amazon.
Customisation and flexibility
Amazon provides limited control over your branding and shopping experience. Product listings must conform to Amazon’s templates, and you must adhere to its strict policies and guidelines which can often be limiting.
Your own website allows you to have complete control over the design, user experience, and branding, tailored to a specific audience. Your own fulfillment centre also gives you the flexibility to manage inventory, shipping options, and customer service policies.
What about Fulfillment By Merchant (FBM)?
Fulfillment by Merchant is a best-of-both-worlds solution that allows you to sell on Amazon without facing the sky-high fees that come with Fulfillment by Amazon. However, most small and medium sized businesses lack the facilities to cope with the higher demand when selling through Amazon.
That’s where Autofulfil can help. We provide fulfillment by merchant services, which offer a range of benefits for your business:
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Seamless integration
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Autofulfil integrates with a long list of eCommerce platforms, including Amazon, helping you to automate order flow and reduce manual work.
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Efficient processing
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We provide same-day pick, pack, and ship services with a 99.9% rate for same-day fulfillment. This ensures quick delivery for happy customers and repeat business.
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Custom solutions
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Compared to Amazon FBA’s rigid structure, Autofulfil provides customisable services including bespoke packaging, kitting, assembly, and labelling.
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Cost-effective scalability
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Autofulfil enables businesses to scale without needing significant investment in warehouse space, equipment, or staff.
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Sustainable local expertise
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Autofulfil focuses on sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral shipping, suitable for any eco-conscious brands. Local expertise means quicker deliveries and a better understanding of the Irish market.
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Autofulfil’s FBA service option
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If your brand still wants the benefits of Amazon’s extensive distribution network but with less hassle, Autofulfil’s FBA prep service is the ideal solution for you. Fully compliant with Amazon’s requirements, this allows you to retain more control over your fulfillment process in a cost-effective, sustainable way.
Ready to take your eCommerce brand to the next level?
The launch of Amazon’s Ireland marketplace will likely divide opinion. Whilst many will consider it great news for Irish businesses and customers, others may worry about the greater competition. Whilst the Irish marketplace will enhance many businesses, some may see a decline in sales.
Whatever your opinion on the news, Autofulfil is ready to help your eCommerce brand expand online. Whether you want to sell to other countries through your own dedicated store or already have a strong Irish presence, our customer fullfillment services are ideal for your eCommerce brand.
We take care of the time-consuming fulfillment process, from picking and packing to shipping and even returns management, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best. Start enjoying more time to focus on your business free from fulfillment hassle.
To find out more, simply contact us and request a quote today.