Amazon.ie launch: What it means for Irish retailers and local businesses

Amazon.ie’s launch sparks mixed reactions as Irish retailers weigh the benefits and risks of competing with the online giant

Paul O'Connor at his store in Ballincollig with shoes that had been ordered on Amazon and were ready to be sent worldwide. Picture: Dan Linehan

The launch of Amazon.ie in Ireland has left retailers with a “challenge” and a “reality” that they must navigate, as some see the benefit from working with the online retail giant and others more wary of its potential harm.

On Tuesday, Amazon unveiled its long-awaited Irish store front, a move which the company had been building towards since it opened its first fulfilment centre in Dublin in 2022. Prior to the launch of Amazon.ie, Irish orders through the platform were fulfilled through Amazon.co.uk.