Ireland: Google Commerce Ltd
Overview
Google Commerce Limited is an Irish Google/Alphabet operating company focused on Google’s commerce activities. It is registered in Ireland under company number 512080 and has its registered office at 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland. The company is a private company limited by shares.
Google Commerce Limited is not the main Irish Google advertising-revenue booking entity and should not be merged with Google Ireland Limited. It is a separate commerce entity whose activities are centred on electronic devices sold through the Google Store and third-party retailers and distributors, and on digital content and applications sold through the Google Play Store.
Ownership and group status
Google Commerce Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa Unlimited Company, incorporated in Ireland. Its ultimate parent undertaking and ultimate controlling party is Alphabet Inc., incorporated in the United States.
The company is part of the Alphabet group and is included in Alphabet Inc.’s consolidated financial statements.
Leadership
The directors listed in the FY2024 annual report are:
| Director |
|---|
| Elizabeth M. Cunningham |
| David Sneddon |
The company secretary is Matsack Trust Limited.
Business model and services
Google Commerce Limited’s principal activities are the acquisition of electronic devices, which it sells online through the Google Store and to third-party retailers and distributors, and the sale of digital content and applications through the Google Play Store.
The company generates revenue from hardware sales, including devices such as Pixel, Chromecast and Home devices. Hardware revenue is recognised when products are delivered to customers. Shipping and handling costs associated with hardware sales are treated as fulfilment costs and included in cost of sales.
For Google Play, the company acts as a reseller and generates revenue by making third-party applications and digital content available through the Google Play Store. Digital content includes music and music subscriptions, ebooks, magazines or periodical subscriptions, movies and television shows. For app sales, the company reports revenue net of amounts paid to app developers and net of associated administration expenses from other group undertakings. For digital-content sales, it acts as an agent and reports revenue on a net basis.
The company also generates revenue from other miscellaneous products and services, presented net of associated direct cost of sales.
Branches
Google Commerce Limited has a UK branch named Google Commerce Limited UK Establishment. The FY2024 report states that the company has no other branches outside Ireland.
Employees
Google Commerce Limited had no employees during FY2024. Employee costs are borne by other group undertakings and recharged to the company. The directors did not receive remuneration for their services during the year.
Latest financial snapshot
FY2024
| Indicator | Value |
| Turnover / revenue | €2,900,132,000 |
| Cost of sales | €1,960,425,000 |
| Gross profit | €939,707,000 |
| Administration expenses | €918,401,000 |
| Operating profit | €21,251,000 |
| Interest receivable and similar income | €664,000 |
| Interest payable and similar expenses | €7,769,000 |
| Profit before tax | €14,146,000 |
| Tax charge | €2,681,000 |
| Profit for the financial year | €11,465,000 |
| Stocks / finished goods | €229,260,000 |
| Debtors due within one year | €2,607,754,000 |
| Total current assets | €2,837,883,000 |
| Creditors due within one year | €2,636,281,000 |
| Net current assets | €201,602,000 |
| Provisions for liabilities | €80,312,000 |
| Net assets / shareholder funds | €121,290,000 |
| Employees | 0 |
The FY2024 figures are taken from Google Commerce Limited’s audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Turnover increased slightly from €2.899bn in 2023 to €2.900bn in 2024. Profit for the financial year declined from €20.344m in 2023 to €11.465m in 2024.
Operating profit was broadly stable, decreasing from €23.859m in 2023 to €21.251m in 2024. Higher administration expenses were largely offset by lower cost of sales. Administration expenses rose from €811.416m to €918.401m, mainly because of higher intercompany-related expenses, while cost of sales fell from €2.063bn to €1.960bn, driven by lower inventory costs due to product mix.
The main driver of the lower profit before tax was the net interest movement. Interest receivable and similar income fell from €5.147m in 2023 to €0.664m in 2024, while interest payable and similar expenses rose from €3.456m to €7.769m. The resulting negative swing below operating profit reduced profit before tax from €25.550m to €14.146m. A lower tax charge, down from €5.206m to €2.681m, partly cushioned the fall in after-tax profit.
Stocks fell from €389.310m in 2023 to €229.260m in 2024.