Amazon might finally open its expanded Australian market in time for Black Friday as the company has asked sellers to be prepared for the upcoming sale. Black Friday deals are already live in the United States, so Australian customers can now also expect hefty discounts coming their way with the Amazon Australian launch.
Amazon Australian launch – what to expect
About ten days back, Amazon said it was “very close” to its launch in Australia. Now, on Tuesday, in an internal email (obtained by tech website Lifehacker) sent to sellers, the U.S. retail giant has asked sellers to update their pricing, stock and details for an “internal testing phase” on Thursday.
“Once you have passed Seller Identity Verification you will be part of this testing phase and you should be prepared to receive orders from this point onward … We are very excited to have you on board during this testing phase. Let’s Make History!” the email read.
As of now, it is not clear how many customers will participate during the test and what products would be sold on the Marketplace. Amazon earlier promised that they would be offering “hundreds of thousands of products,” but whether these will be individual product types or the total available stock across all categories is still not clear.
Amazon Marketplace brings third-party retailers on board to list their products on the website and decide on the pricing. According to news.com.au, 500 Australian suppliers would be selling their products through the Marketplace right from the start.
Speaking to The New Daily, retail consultant Scott Kilmartin said, “The Country Fire Authority inspected the Amazon Dandenong warehouse yesterday and gave the building clearance to operate.”
Reactions of shoppers and rivals awaited
Experts believe that Australia is going to be a comparatively hard nut to crack. Even though geographically it is as big as the U.S., population density and the distribution of big cities is not the same as in the U.S., so shipping could be a challenge for the company, notes CNET. For now, Amazon has planned to go ahead with one warehouse situated on the outskirts of Melbourne, and would work with existing logistical networks and delivery companies to deliver the products.
So, same day delivery might not be on the cards for the company right now. Therefore, Amazon Prime might also not be launched on Friday. Amazon Prime promises buyers ultra-quick, free delivery of purchases along with other benefits.
At the same time, the Amazon Australian launch and its pre-Christmas launch is the worst nightmare for big departmental stores. “There’s going to be an enormous buzz, but it’s not a new product like an iPhone. It’s a new way of buying, and it will be interesting to see how Joe Punter reacts,” said Kilmartin.
To celebrate the launch, the U.S. online retailer will give away free ice-cream on Thursday at the Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. Kilmartin stated that he also knows about similar promotional events scheduled at the railway stations in Sydney and Perth.
On Tuesday, Amazon shares closed up 1.17% at $1,139.49. Year to date, the stock is up almost 52%, while in the last one month, it is up almost 16%.
