Amazon closing UK-based online shop Book Depository

UK-based online store Book Depository is being closed down by its genitor company, the US exertion elephantine Amazon.

Book Depository has told customers it volition cease operations aboriginal this period aft astir 2 decades successful business.

It comes aft Amazon announced plans to chopped thousands of jobs arsenic it shakes up its businesses globally.

The quality was met with sadness by galore of Book Depository's customers from astir the world.

"We are atrocious to fto you cognize that Book Depository volition beryllium closing connected 26 April 2023," the institution said.

Customers tin proceed to bid books until midday UK clip connected its past time of trading, the company's website added.

Book Depository was founded successful 2004 by erstwhile Amazon worker Andrew Crawford and his concern spouse Stuart Felton.

The planetary online publication retailer, which was bought by Amazon successful 2011, has offices successful London, Gloucester, Madrid, Cape Town and Chennai - with fulfilment centres successful the UK and Australia.

Thousands of Book Depository customers, including bestselling authors, reacted with sadness implicit the announcement.

"Sad to perceive the news. A immense nonaccomplishment for each of us," New Zealand-based writer and writer Lang Leav tweeted.

"My bosom breaks," different Twitter idiosyncratic said.

This year, Amazon has been slashing thousands of jobs arsenic it aims to marque large outgo savings.

As portion of the shakeup, the institution announced changes to its publication business, including the determination to halt selling magazines and paper subscriptions connected its e-book instrumentality Kindle.

Last month, main enforcement Andy Jassy said making occupation cuts crossed the institution was a "difficult decision" but it would beryllium champion for the institution successful the agelong term.

He said that successful caller years, astir areas of Amazon's concern had been adding roles.

"However, fixed the uncertain system successful which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists successful the adjacent future, we person chosen to beryllium much streamlined successful our costs and headcount," helium continued.

Like overmuch of the planetary exertion industry, Amazon saw income roar during the pandemic erstwhile customers were stuck astatine home.

But much precocious its income person slowed down arsenic consumers walk little owed to the outgo of surviving crisis.

Other companies, including Google and Facebook-owner Meta, person been grappling with however to equilibrium cost-cutting measures with the request to stay competitive.