Amazon hits Australia

Amazon has been around for more than two decades already, and in many markets this brand is nothing less but a giant. In the US, for example, Amazon surpassed Walmart two years ago to become the most valuable retailer by market capitalization. This company is the largest Internet company by revenue and the fourth most valuable public one in the world, as well as the eighth largest employer in the US.

Amazon is now finally live in Australia, and the listings on Amazon.com.au include millions of local products from both well-known Australian brands and small/medium-sized local businesses that sell their stuff on Amazon Marketplace.

Amazon Australia features over 20 product categories, including Amazon Devices. Orders over AU$49 sold by Amazon get free shipping, not to mention the one-day delivery service that is available in select areas. Amazon Prime Video and Twitch Prime are also now available to Australian customers, but Alexa and Echo are both expected to arrive in Australia and the New Zealand in early 2018.

According to ZDNet, this launch "is expected to shake up the retail space in Australia" although most of those companies who will feel threatened by Amazon had a lot of time to prepare for this encounter. In the end, the winners will be the customers, by gaining access to more local products in a well-organized marketplace, as well as a rich selection of international goods that should become available for competitive prices.