Amazon launched in the UK 15 years ago. Retail Week takes a look at the key milestones since its launch in 1998.

Amazon milestones in the 15 years since it launched
1998Launch of Amazon.co.uk after acquisition on Book Pages. Begins selling books, opens fulfilment centre in Marston Gate
1999Opens Music Store
2000Opens DVD/Video Store and software and video games store
2001Opens electronics, photo, toys and games store
2002Launches Marketplace
2003Launches Amazon Web Services, opens home and garden store
2004Opens fulfilment centre in Gourock, Scotland, lowers Free Super Saver Delivery threshold to £15, Launches DVD Rental Service
2005Opens fulfilment centre in Glenrothes, Scotland
2006Launches Wedding List Service, opens customer service centre in Cork, Ireland
2007Launches sports and leisure store, jewellery and watches store, baby store and shoes store, launches Amazon Prime
2008Opens Fulfilment Centre in Swansea Bay, Wales, launches health and beauty store, DIY and tools, clothing store, lowers Free Shipping threshold to £5, introduces Print on Demand Programme for books, Launches MP3 Store
2009Launches office supplies store, lighting, Outlet store, shoe and handbag store  www.javari.co.uk. Launches Amazon.co.uk Credit Card,  car and motorbike store, lowers Free Shipping Threshold to £0, makes Kindle with international wireless available to UK customers, launches Amazon.co.uk Shopping App for iPhone and iPod touch
2010Launches Amazon MP3 App for Android™ and Universal Wish List and musical instruments and DJ store. Launches grocery and Amazon.co.uk Kindle Store. Launches Kindle Direct Publishing, opens fulfilment centres in Peterborough and Doncaster, launches Pet supplies store, Free Shipping to 27 Countries, Black Friday Deals Week and Amazon Windowshop for iPad
2011Acquires Lovefilm and Book Depository. Launches Amazon Lockers, Amazon App for Android with barcode scanning feature and Checkout by Amazon. Launches All-new Kindle in the UK, and opens customer service centres in Edinburgh, Rugeley and Dunfermline
2012M&S Outlet launches on Amazon Webstore. Launches Kindle Touch, Kindle Touch 3G and Createspace publishing platform in Europe. Sales of Kindle books overtake sales of print books on Amazon.co.uk. Launches Amazon Appstore in Europe and Amazon Cloud Drive. Launches the all-new Kindle, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD and Amazon Cloud Player. Launches Amazon Family in the UK
2013Launches Kindle Fire HD 8.9”, secures new offices in Central London

 

 

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