Amazon sales have soared over its first quarter, as the ecommerce giant continues to capitalise on India’s burgeoning online shopping market.
Adjusted sales rose 23% to $35.7bn, up from $29.1bn, with Amazon facing a slight negative impact from currency headwinds: in constant currency terms, sales were up 24%.
Operating income was down 6% to £1bn, from $1.1bn, while net income was $724m, up fom $513m.
In the UK, Amazon has plans to create more than 5,000 full-time jobs by the end of the year, meaning that its permanent UK workforce will number 24,000.
It continues to expand Amazon Fresh, with Prime members in 260 London, Surrey and Hampshire postcodes now able to order groceries online.
‘Moving fast’
Founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos called out the Indian market as one of Amazon’s primary focuses.
He said: “It’s still Day One for ecommerce in India, and I assure you that we’ll keep investing in technology and infrastructure while working hard to invent on behalf of our customers and small and medium businesses in India.
“Our India team is moving fast and delivering for customers and sellers. We’re grateful that customers are responding.”
He added that Amazon.in was the most-visited and fastest-growing marketplace in India and that the retailer was already branching into entertainment in the region, having announced 18 Indian Amazon Original TV series.
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