It’s happening! Media reports are suggesting that Amazon are planning a “soft launch” into the Australian market and it will happen tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.

Aussie retailers aligned with the online shopping behemoth have reportedly received emails from the company asking them to be ready to take orders from tomorrow at 2pm.

The news of the launch follows reports today that Speciality Fashion Group – owners of retail brands Katies, Millers and Rivers – have announced plans to close 300 of its retail outlets Australia-wide as consumers increasingly tighten their wallets and askew bricks and mortar stores.

According to tech site Lifehacker, Amazon’s email to Aussie retailers read: “To prepare for the launch of the Amazon Marketplace in Australia we will start an internal testing phase with a small number of customers.

“As your products will be able to be purchased, please make sure your pricing and stock is up-to-date. Let’s make history!” it said.

Just last month, Amazon unveiled its first Australian distribution warehouse, a massive 24,000 square metre facility in Melbourne’s Dandenong South.

Amazon’s Australian CEO Rocco Braeuniger last week told a sellers’ conference in Sydney that it would launch with both its third-party marketplace offer, as well as its own retail offer of potentially thousands of everyday products.