Amazon Ireland for Irish shoppers is now live, offering over 200 million products in Euros, fast One-Day Delivery, a local Prime membership, and a dedicated page for Irish brands.
For years, Irish shoppers faced a frustrating dilemma: relying on Amazon’s UK or US sites, leading to unclear pricing and potential customs issues.
This problem worsened after Brexit, with limited product availability and unexpected duty fees. Now, Amazon has launched Amazon.ie, a dedicated Irish platform.
This site promises to solve these issues by offering local Euro pricing, faster delivery, and access to millions of products, finally providing Irish consumers with a streamlined and cost-effective shopping experience.
Emarkable.ie"As we approach 2025, e-commerce will continue to be the backbone of retail in Ireland. "
Amazon Ireland for Irish Online Shoppers Launches with Local Pricing and Prime Benefits
Amazon has officially launched Amazon.ie, bringing Irish online shoppers direct access to over 200 million products with pricing in Euro, faster delivery, and hassle-free returns. The move eliminates Brexit-related customs charges and expands opportunities for Irish businesses through a dedicated “Brands of Ireland” section.
Amazon.ie is now live on desktop, mobile browsers, and the Amazon shopping app. First-time orders qualify for free delivery, whether customers are Prime members or not.
What Irish shoppers can expect from Amazon.ie
With Amazon.ie, Irish customers can now enjoy:
- One-day fast delivery on millions of items
- Clear local pricing without unexpected customs fees
- A new Prime membership at just €6.99 per month, offering free delivery, exclusive deals, and access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming, and more
For Amazon UK Prime subscribers, switching to the Irish version is supposedly seamless, with automatic refunds for the UK membership.
Amazon’s expanding presence in Ireland
Amazon already employs 6,500 people across Ireland and has invested over €22 billion in its operations since 2004. In 2023, small Irish businesses on Amazon recorded over €170 million in export sales, with more than half going outside the EU.
Sustainability Commitment
Amazon.ie is also adopting eco-friendly packaging, using recyclable paper bags and cardboard instead of plastic, aligning with Amazon’s broader sustainability efforts.
Amazon Launches in Ireland, What it Means for Local Businesses
The much-anticipated launch of Amazon Ireland’s dedicated platform, Amazon.ie, has sparked significant debate about its impact on local businesses. While the new site offers Irish consumers greater convenience, faster delivery, and locally priced products without additional customs charges, it also introduces new challenges for small and medium-sized Irish retailers.
According to The Irish Times, Amazon’s expansion into Ireland is expected to increase its already significant market share, with the e-commerce giant currently accounting for up to 12% of all online spending in the country.
The launch of Amazon.ie removes Brexit-related barriers that previously hindered Irish consumers from shopping on Amazon UK, making it easier and potentially more cost-effective for them to access millions of products. However, the implications for local sellers are more complex.
Opportunity and Competition for Irish Businesses
Amazon.ie introduces a “Brands of Ireland” section, designed to help local Irish businesses to reach a broader audience and showcase their products. This initiative, a collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, offers Irish brands a global platform, potentially boosting sales and brand visibility.
However, not all businesses will benefit equally. While some Irish retailers will gain from Amazon’s massive customer base and logistical network, others will find themselves in direct competition with the retail giant.
Amazon not only acts as a marketplace but also sells its own products, often at highly competitive prices, putting pressure on local stores that may struggle to match the scale and pricing power of the U.S.-based corporation.
The Price Factor: A Double-Edged Sword
Amazon Ireland’s pricing structure has been another focal point of discussion. While some items appear slightly more expensive than their UK counterparts, they often become cheaper when factoring in customs duties and currency conversion fees. Delivery times are also shorter for products ordered from Amazon.ie, offering a key advantage over UK-based competitors.
Yet, local retailers fear that the convenience of Amazon’s pricing and delivery speed could lure more consumers away from traditional Irish stores. If customers in Ireland begin shifting the majority of their spending to Amazon, small businesses that rely on in-person transactions or online sales through independent platforms may struggle to stay afloat.
The Future of Irish Retail
The Irish government has welcomed Amazon’s investment, with Ireland’s minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment Peter Burke, describing it as “good news for all.” However, industry experts caution that the expansion could lead to a retail shake-up, where only the most adaptable local businesses survive.
Concerns Among Local Retailers
Kenny’s Bookshop and Art Gallery in Galway voiced strong opposition, warning that local retailers will struggle to compete both online and on the high street. “Support local, not the billionaires,” the independent bookseller urged in a social media post.
Jean McCabe, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, echoed these concerns, highlighting that Amazon’s high fees make it difficult for most small retailers to use its marketplace. With 2,000 small retail members, the organization warns that Amazon’s dominance could pose a serious challenge to local businesses already facing rising costs and stiff competition.
Consumers, too, must weigh their choices carefully. Supporting local businesses remains vital for sustaining jobs and maintaining the vibrancy of Ireland’s retail sector.
While Amazon.ie offers undeniable benefits, an over-reliance on the platform could accelerate the decline of independent retailers, leading to a more homogenized and corporate-dominated market.
As Amazon’s influence in Ireland grows, the coming years will determine whether local businesses can leverage the platform to their advantage or if they will be forced to fight an uphill battle for survival
Challenging, but Worthwhile Selling on Amazon
Irish athletic gear brand Swifter has been featured on Amazon Ireland’s newly launched platform, marking a significant milestone for the company. Co-founder and Olympian Nadia Power OLY took to LinkedIn to celebrate the achievement, emphasizing how selling on Amazon UK, US, and Australia has transformed their business.
Power highlighted Amazon’s unmatched customer reach, hands-off fulfillment, and seamless global scaling as key advantages that have propelled Swifter® forward, with U.S. sales now contributing 20% of revenue. However, she also acknowledged the challenges of balancing costs, fending off copycat competitors, and ensuring the brand’s strength beyond Amazon.
Power encourages other Irish businesses to explore Amazon as a growth opportunity, whether through independent efforts or by partnering with an experienced Amazon Agency, while staying mindful of the hurdles that come with it.
Amazon Ireland Enters a Competitive eCommerce Landscape
Amazon Ireland’s launch comes at a time of rapid eCommerce growth, with the Irish market projected to reach $6.2 billion in 2025 and expand to $8.68 billion by 2029, according to Statista. With user penetration expected to climb from 53.8% in 2025 to 64.6% by 2029, competition among online marketplaces is set to intensify.
While Amazon remains a dominant player, it faces rising competition from emerging platforms like TikTok Shop, SHEIN, and Temu, which have disrupted the industry with aggressive pricing and social commerce strategies.
An article on Warehousing Ireland noted that established retailers such as Tesco and Debenhams are also entering the marketplace space, while niche platforms like Poshmark and Back Market are carving out strong positions in specialized categories.
For Irish businesses, Amazon.ie presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While the platform offers access to millions of potential customers, retailers must also navigate high fees and intense competition—not just from Amazon itself but from a growing array of digital rivals.
A strategic move to meet changing consumer demand
By handling its own grocery logistics, Target gains greater control over inventory placement, ensuring that high-demand products are readily available at the right locations. This just-in-time stocking approach could give the retailer a competitive edge over rivals still dependent on third-party distribution models.
The move also underscores a broader industry shift: as food retail evolves, major players are investing heavily in tech-driven supply chain innovations to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
What this means for the Future of Food Retail
With grocery retail becoming increasingly competitive, streamlined supply chain operations and data-driven inventory management are set to define the future of food retail. Target’s strategy reflects a growing trend where retailers must integrate logistics and inventory planning more effectively to keep pace with shifting consumer expectations.
As technology, logistics, and consumer behavior continue to evolve, retailers that invest in supply chain innovation will be better positioned to meet demand and stay ahead in the food retail race.
