Independent Irish bookshops report minimal immediate effects one month after Amazon’s dedicated Irish website launch, though concerns persist about potential long-term consequences for the local retail landscape.
When Amazon.ie launched in March, promising over 200 million products with euro pricing and one-day delivery, the retail giant’s arrival was welcomed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as “good news for all.” However, small retailers, particularly booksellers, expressed apprehension about their ability to compete with the world’s largest online retailer.
Tomás Kenny of Galway’s Kennys Bookshop, which has operated since 1940 and became the world’s oldest online bookshop in 1994, told The Journal that his store actually saw a brief increase in orders during Amazon’s launch week.
“There was a drop-off then a few days later. It was as if people that were going to order on Friday ordered on Monday or whatever, to try and support us,” Kenny explained. “When news like this happens, it’s not so much the short-term that you see an impact, it’s in the long-term.”
Kenny’s primary concern centers on seasonal gift buyers rather than regular book purchasers. “There’s a worry that, as it comes up towards Christmas, what’ll start to happen is people will just default to Amazon. It’s such a big, ubiquitous name that people stop and they go, ‘I’ll just buy off Amazon. I won’t even check anywhere else.'”
Mick Finucane, co-owner of Dublin’s Chapters Bookstore, similarly reported no immediate sales impact, attributing this to customer loyalty and unique experiences that online retailers cannot replicate.
“We’ve had couples get engaged here, we’ve had couples have their wedding pictures here, it’s a spot for people to go on first dates. We operate in a different aspect of the market than Amazon does,” Finucane said.
Irish booksellers already face significant challenges, including Brexit-related customs complications and reduced margins from the Government’s expanded free schoolbooks scheme. Kenny, who serves on the committee of Ireland’s Booksellers Association, predicts that “an awful lot” of bookshops will close or announce closures by January due to these pressures.
Both booksellers challenged the perception that Amazon consistently offers lower prices and faster delivery. Kenny demonstrated that many Amazon.ie listings for bestselling Irish titles actually ship from Germany, the US, or UK, affecting both price and delivery times.
“There’s more to value than just the price,” Finucane argued. “Local bookstores throughout the country are supporting local football teams or book clubs, giving kids work experience, or providing Saturday jobs. These all add worth to our community.”
Despite these challenges, Kenny remains defiant about competing with the retail giant. “I don’t accept the argument that it’s impossible to compete with Amazon because they’re the biggest company in the world. To hell with that. We can get books to people quicker and cheaper and with better customer service.”
Chapters recently launched their first website offering same-day delivery in Dublin for orders placed before 1pm—a service Amazon doesn’t yet match. However, Finucane acknowledges the resource disparity: “The resources are there. There’s unlimited capital there, in comparison to the independent sector… This is the worst they’re going to be. But hopefully, we’ll get better as well.”
Both booksellers express concern about potential long-term impacts on Ireland’s retail landscape if Amazon gains significant market share. Kenny noted his disappointment with the Government “talking up” Amazon’s arrival, warning that the effects on traditional retail in other countries have been “absolutely catastrophic.”
“The retail landscape in Ireland, which is already fairly depressing in many towns and even some of the cities, could get an awful lot worse if we’re not very careful,” Kenny cautioned.
Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.