Amazon’s move a big deal for NZ

More choices for Kiwis as online retail giant arrives in Australia

Amazon’s Australian launch this year may have local retailers worried, but consumers will undoubtedly benefit.

The online giant confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in retail last week, announcing it would be launching in Australia — setting up warehouses and distribution centres across the Tasman.

Amazon has typically entered a new market with a product offering of around five million items including books, music, electronics, home and garden, clothing and jewellery, groceries and numerous other products.

Although New Zealanders can already shop from the business, the opening of offices and shipping centres in Australia will significantly cut delivery times and increase product availability for Kiwi shoppers.

Increased competition i s also likely to drive down prices and put pressure on other retailers to offer discounts and unique experiences to retain customers.

Either way according to commentators, consumers are set to benefit.

Consultancy business First Retail managing director Chris Wilkinson said the company’s arrival in Australasia could also give access to products previously not sold in the region.

“Amazon are likely to develop conduits to products and brands that may not have been easily available in these parts of the world.”

According to Wilkinson, this was likely to be in the luxury brand space, which Amazon already offers in other countries.

“If you look at Amazon now you can see those [ upper- end] brands that are available,” he said.

“When the Amazon juggernaut arrives I think we’re likely to see a lot of those brands become available.”

Among the luxury items for sale on Amazon’s US sites were shoes, handbags, clothing, and jewellery.

In the past, Amazon has sometimes refused billing addresses or