SEATTLE & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--Amazon Services Europe, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMZN), and leading United Kingdom retailer Marks & Spencer today announced an e-commerce alliance.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amazon Services Europe will host and provide the technology behind the Marks & Spencer branded website and its in-store and telephone ordering and customer services systems. Marks & Spencer will remain responsible for the management of its website, customer service operations, warehousing and distribution.
"Marks & Spencer already has a successful website with over 24 million visits every year, but our e-commerce and customer ordering capabilities have yet to reach their full potential. A partnership with Amazon will help us achieve this, while allowing us to concentrate on our core business of retailing," said Steven Sharp, Director, Marketing & e-commerce, Marks & Spencer.
When the first phase of work is completed in early summer 2006, Marks & Spencer customers will benefit from the development of an integrated ordering service, whether they choose to buy products in-store, online or by telephone.
"We look forward to sharing our e-commerce expertise with Marks & Spencer to enable them to focus on branding and merchandising," said Mark Stabingas, Amazon Services Senior Vice President for Worldwide Business Development and Services Sales. "Our goal is to provide Marks & Spencer customers with a true multi-channel experience, regardless of how they choose to shop for or order merchandise."
The alliance with Marks & Spencer signifies Amazon Services' entrance into the European enterprise retail services market. In the U.S., Amazon Services powers the e-commerce channels for Target, NBA.com, Toys 'R' Us, The Bombay Company, Diane von Furstenberg, Borders.com, and CD Now.
About Amazon Services Europe
The newly-formed alliance with Marks & Spencer signifies the entry of Amazon Services Europe into the European enterprise retail services market. The Luxembourg-based subsidiary, Amazon Services Europe, provides world class service to retailers and their customers through a suite of innovative service offerings from discovery through delivery. This includes technology, hosting, customer service, direct to consumer fulfillment, and transportation solutions that are tailored to support and enhance their brand and customer experience.
About Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is one of the UK's leading retailers of clothes, food and home products. Some 10 million people shop with Marks & Spencer each week at its 400 stores. Marks & Spencer employs around 66,000 people in UK. In addition, Marks & Spencer has around 160 stores managed under franchise in 27 territories mostly in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Far East along with wholly owned stores in the Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong. Marks & Spencer also owns the US supermarket group, Kings Super Markets.
Forward-Looking Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, consumer trends, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and all subsequent filings.
CONTACT: Amazon Media Hotline, 206-266-7180
or
Marks & Spencer
Corporate Press Office, 020 8718 1919
SOURCE: Amazon.com, Inc.