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Amazon Finally Launches In Australia (mashable.com)
After a very soft launch on Nov. 23, Amazon has officially launched in Australia. Mashable reports: One of the biggest things to happen to Australia's retail sector, Amazon's website has switched over from a Kindle Store presence to its fully fledged Amazon.com.au, with millions of products now ready for eager Christmas shoppers across more than 20 categories. It's a huge moment for Australian retail, and one of the most anticipated launches of the year, after Amazon confirmed in April 2017 it would expand its operations in Australia. Local retailers like David Jones and Myer have been scrambling to launch their own "premium" in-store services and price matching strategies or revamped online stores ahead of Amazon's arrival.
Thousands of Australian brands have already signed up with Amazon to sell their wares locally and internationally. Small and medium-sized Australian businesses are selling on Amazon Marketplace. Amazon's allowing free delivery on eligible orders above $49 that are sold by Amazon, and the company is rolling out one-day delivery service to select areas. Plus, for the first time, Australian customers will be able to access Prime Video and Twitch Prime, launching Prime shipping benefits in Australia in mid-2018 (registration for Prime is open now for Aussies).
Thousands of Australian brands have already signed up with Amazon to sell their wares locally and internationally. Small and medium-sized Australian businesses are selling on Amazon Marketplace. Amazon's allowing free delivery on eligible orders above $49 that are sold by Amazon, and the company is rolling out one-day delivery service to select areas. Plus, for the first time, Australian customers will be able to access Prime Video and Twitch Prime, launching Prime shipping benefits in Australia in mid-2018 (registration for Prime is open now for Aussies).
and what a fucking dismal launch it was, prices are at best average, many of them even more expensive than the local retailers they were claiming they would be 30% cheaper than them. I guess I will continue to use online retailers in the US/Singapore/UK/Germany as even with shipping, duty and fees they are a shit load cheaper than buying locally or being ripped off by amazon.
They have years to build up their online presence or for one of the local companies to try and fill the void left by not having Amazon. But it seems like they have sitting back just waiting for Amazon to come.
If I had been running a chain down there I would have been looking at the best practices from around the world and adapting them to my situation. Waiting for the biggest competition to announce their expansion before building up my business is just plain stupid.
"No need for an American behemoth muscling in on the Australian market and destroying local businesses. Keep out."
No. Americans could put every Australian company out of business, set fire to their crops, and salt the earth, and it still wouldn't be nearly enough payback for Rupert Murdoch.