Amazon fulfillment centre

The opening of Amazon’s first fulfilment centre in Dandenong South is “just the start” of the US retail giant’s move into Australia.

Amazon director of operations for Australia, Robert Bruce, gave the ominous warning in a statement announcing the opening of the 24,000m2 fulfilment centre in the Melbourne suburb.

“Over time, we will bring thousands of new jobs to Australia and millions of dollars of investment as well as opening up the opportunity for thousands of Australian businesses to sell at home and abroad through Amazon Marketplace,” Bruce said.

“This new fulfilment centre will stock hundreds of thousands of products, which will be available for delivery to customers across Australia when we launch our retail offering.”

Amazon has also appointed Rocco Braeuniger as country manager for Amazon.com.au, bringing him over from his current role as director of consumables for its German operations.

News of the arrival of Amazon has already put local retailers on edge, with Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci commenting back in March that the national retailer would be re-evaluating its home delivery and convenience services.