A decade of Amazon in Poland
From the very beginning, our presence in Poland has been guided by one goal: to become part of the local fabric and support the national economy. When we started in 2014, we had a vision of long-term growth.
Our journey began in 2012 with our investment in the Gdańsk-based startup IVONA Software — evidence that we believe in local talent and cutting-edge ideas. Today, three Amazon Development Centres in Poland (ADCP) drive advanced innovations for Alexa, Ring, Blink, Echo, Polly, TTS, AWS Database Migration, and Kindle. On the logistics front, we opened our first three fulfilment centres in 2014, in Sady near Poznań and two in Bielany Wrocławskie, employing over 3,800 permanent staff. Since then we’ve grown to a network of 11 state-of-the-art facilities, supporting around 70,000 direct and indirect jobs. As a result, we’ve become the largest American employer in Poland [1].
The latest annual Keystone report shows that between 2012 and 2023, we invested over PLN 30 billion (€7 billion) in Poland—supporting job creation, innovative technologies, logistics, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These investments have contributed to more than PLN 19 billion (€4.4 billion) in total wages. Yet, as Russell Grandinetti, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of International Stores, emphasised during his visit to Warsaw, “this is only the beginning".
A spotlight on Polish brands
Customer focus is one of our guiding principles. After a decade in Poland, we know just how important local sentiment and familiarity are and have gained a deeper insight into the value of nurturing a homegrown connection. Drawing on this knowledge and our experience working closely with Polish sellers, we were inspired to launch the Brands of Poland store.
Here, consumers will find more than a thousand local brands, from Kubota and 4F to Eveline Cosmetics, as well as products by smaller regional craftspeople. Beyond well-known categories like cosmetics, clothing, and home goods, there’s also a cultural section highlighting Polish authors, as well as Polish-produced Prime Video content. This dedicated space not only caters to local customers but also supports Polish entrepreneurs, especially those new to e-commerce. By joining Amazon, many sellers have unlocked opportunities for international reach. In 2023 alone, over 30 million products shipped to Amazon customers, and overseas sales exceeded PLN 4.7 billion (€1 billion).
Amazon is about people and their extraordinary stories
We know that people are the driving force behind our success. Their passion, commitment, and energy help us meet customer needs every day. As part of our 10th-anniversary “Amazing People” initiative, we’ve produced a series of videos where long-standing employees share their Amazon stories:
- Remus Mois: His passion for tech and relentless pursuit of excellence led him to manage a team of top Ring specialists, impacting millions of users worldwide.
- Sławomir Płonka & Tomasz Szarzyński: Their story proves that teamwork and dedication can fuel professional success.
- Katarzyna Anioł-Wielgus: Managing a thousand employees across Europe, she creates innovative training programs and fosters skills development at Amazon.
- Katarzyna Kulik: Her commitment to community and social initiatives highlights how helping others can drive both personal growth and career achievement.
- Mariusz Tyszkowski: He encourages the creation of an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community at Amazon.
The art of innovation
To mark our anniversary and help people get to know us better, we hit the road in Poland with a series of “Art of Innovation” events. Held at our fulfilment centres in Gliwice, Bielany Wrocławskie, and Sady near Poznań, these gatherings brought together local officials, AI and robotics experts, and community partners. Attendees got a first-hand look at how innovation shapes our daily operations.
Our 10-year milestone also prompted reflections on future investments, including around PLN 3.8 million (€885,000) dedicated to Poland’s first initiative under the global “Right Now Climate Fund.” This support will focus on restoring and protecting natural ecosystems. Every day in Poland, we pursue sustainable strategies—ranging from renewable energy projects to eco-friendly customer initiatives. This vision underpins our Climate Pledge Friendly (CPF) programme, through which we are featuring more than 65,000 certified sustainable products on Amazon.pl. In 2024, we introduced the “Fix It” store to encourage product repair and reuse, along with the “Second Chance” programme, promoting refurbished products at great prices.
Looking ahead, we’ll also launch a community fund of about PLN 1.1 million (€257,000) aimed at improving access to high-quality education, particularly in STEM fields. For years, we have supported local communities through various charitable and educational initiatives. We collaborate with more than 50 organisations, providing financial and product donations. We also run programmes that support mental health for children and youth and help those affected by natural disasters. Recognising how eager people are to lend a hand, we plan to bolster its skills-based volunteer programmes, too.
Getting to know each other—quite literally!
Our “Grand Impact Event” was a perfect opportunity to summarise our achievements, investments, and plans in Poland. On October 28, 2024, at the remarkable Polish History Museum in Warsaw, Russell Grandinetti met with representatives from the political sphere, non-governmental organisations, and the media. The event featured remarks by Mark Brzeziński, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, and a musical performance by Natalia Kukulska, who delighted attendees with contemporary takes on Frédéric Chopin’s compositions.
Staying close to you
This year, we wanted to offer a closer look at what we do, from our tech roots to major milestones and, most importantly, the people who build Amazon in Poland. That’s why we teamed up with Gazeta.pl for the “Let's get to know each other better” project. On a dedicated portal page, you can discover key information about our company, listen to expert-led podcasts, and test your Amazon knowledge with a special quiz.
For a more comprehensive overview—from ADCP and AWS technologies to sustainability projects, support for SMEs, and the benefits of Amazon Prime—check out the special e-book published by Rzeczpospolita to commemorate our anniversary.
When we began our operations in Poland, we set our sights on growth in all its dimensions. Today, the country is a critical technology and logistics hub in our network—and we have no intention of slowing down. By understanding local needs and the broader social landscape, we’re determined to keep investing, innovating, and advancing Amazon’s presence here for years to come.
[1] “American Companies in Poland”, American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, June 2023
