The parent firm of UK-based online retailer Book Depository, US-based digital behemoth Amazon, has announced its closure.
After almost two decades in business, Book Depository has informed consumers that it would close its doors later this month.
It follows Amazon’s announcement that it will be restructuring its global operations and eliminating thousands of employees.
Several of Book Depository’s international clients were saddened by the news.
“We are sorry to let you know that Book Depository will be closing on 26 April 2023,” the company said.
Customers can continue to order books until midday UK time on its last day of trading, the company’s website added.
“I can confirm that we’ve taken the difficult decision to close Book Depository,” an Amazon spokesperson told the BBC.
Book Depository was founded in 2004 by former Amazon employee Andrew Crawford and his business partner Stuart Felton.
The global online book retailer, which was bought by Amazon in 2011, has offices in London, Gloucester, Madrid, Cape Town and Chennai – with fulfilment centres in the UK and Australia.
Thousands of Book Depository customers, including bestselling authors, reacted with sadness over the announcement.
Former Amazon employees Stuart Felton and Andrew Crawford established Book Depository in 2004.
The international online bookseller, which Amazon acquired in 2011, includes offices in London, Gloucester, Madrid, Cape Town, and Chennai. The UK and Australia serve as fulfillment centers.
Several consumers of Book Depository, including best-selling writers, expressed their disappointment at the news.
“Sad to hear the news. A huge loss for all of us,” New Zealand-based author and poet Lang Leav tweeted.
“My heart breaks,” another Twitter user said.
This year, Amazon has been slashing thousands of jobs as it aims to make major cost savings.
As part of the shakeup, the company announced changes to its book business, including the decision to stop selling magazines and newspaper subscriptions on its e-book device Kindle.
In a blog post in January, chief executive Andy Jassy said a total of just over 18,000 roles would be cut across the company, including job losses in its book selling operation.
Mr Jassy referred to “the hard decision to eliminate a number of positions across our Devices and Books businesses”.
Like much of the global technology industry, Amazon saw sales boom during the pandemic when customers were stuck at home.
But more recently its sales have slowed down as consumers spend less due to the cost of living crisis.
Other companies, including Google and Facebook-owner Meta, have been grappling with how to balance cost-cutting measures with the need to remain competitive.
Reuters
