Is economic growth stimulated by tech platforms? Amazon’s UK boss believes so March 24, 2015 Thirty years after the first dot com website was registered, one of the most exciting developments in the internet revolution is the way technology platforms are enabling entrepreneurs of every type and size. Technology platforms are all around us. Retail platforms like Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Not on the High Street enable brands and sellers [...]
There’s no business like e-business: Amazon Local takes on Ticketmaster with West End ticket offers March 23, 2015 Amazon has moved into ticketing after launching offers to West End shows on its daily deals website today, putting it head-to-head with established players such as Ticketmaster and See Tickets. As part of its latest Amazon Local expansion, the internet retailer will now also offer tickets to all 48 shows in the West End including [...]
So meta: Amazon just opened an online store on Alibaba March 6, 2015 Amazon and Alibaba may be a hair away to declaring themselves official arch-nemeses, but that hasn't prevented the US online retail giant from making the most of the opportunities presented by its rival. Amazon has opened a shop on Alibaba's Tmall, the Chinese tech giant's equivalent of, er, Amazon. What does it all mean? Amazon's [...]
The US’ new drone rules could completely scupper Amazon’s plans for drone delivery February 16, 2015 Amazon's hopes to deliver packages by drone may be dashed by the new rules (Source: YouTube) After almost four years of delays, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has finally released its proposals for rules governing the use of "small drones" (anything under 55lbs). It's what US drone enthusiasts have been waiting for: until now, [...]
Amazon bounces back and beats expectations January 29, 2015 Amazon has reported its fourth quarter earnings and beate analysts' expectations by a handsome margin. Revenue rose 15 per cent to $29.3bn Amazon was forecast to report sales of $29.67bn, 16 per cent up year-on-year. However, earnings per share obliterated forecasts came in at 45 cents rather then the expected 18 cents. Operating expenses rose [...]
WorkMail: Amazon’s new service delivers email January 29, 2015 Retailer, movie-maker and now email provider – is there any business Amazon doesn’t want to get in on? The web giant is putting its hat in the ring with the likes of Microsoft and Google to become the go-to email service for companies. Amazon has revealed WorkMail, an email and calendar service aimed squarely at [...]
Amazon takes one in every four pounds spent on physical music, film and games January 26, 2015 One in every four pounds spent in Britain on physical music, games and videos in the run-up to Christmas went to Amazon, figures out this morning show. For the 12 weeks to December 21, Amazon dominated the world of entertainment, with 39 per cent of all the sector's purchases being made with the etailer [...]
Amazon Original Movies: Full-length feature films planned for cinema release will start production this year January 19, 2015 Amazon is getting into the movie business with the launch of a new venture producing full-length feature films to be screened in cinemas. Hot on the heels of its Golden Globe win for TV series Transparent, an original TV series which aired on its streaming service Amazon Prime Instant Video, the retailer will begin producing [...]
European Commission: Yup, Amazon’s Luxembourg tax deal probably gave it an unfair advantage January 16, 2015 European regulators admitted that a deal struck between Amazon and Luxembourgish authorities to minimise its tax bill probably did constitute state aid. In a 23-page letter dated 7 October but only published today, the European Commission pointed out that it "has doubts…. as to [the deal's] compatibility with the internal market" It added that it [...]
HMV beats Amazon and reclaims top spot as Britain’s biggest retailer of physical music January 16, 2015 HMV is making a comeback on the high street, reclaiming the top spot as the UK's biggest seller of physical music, with vinyl sales soaring to their highest in over 20 years. Total sales climbed to £365.7m in the year to December, up from £311.2m from the same period the previous year. Like-for-like CD sales [...]