Amazon is to launch a pilot service to deliver on Sundays in London over the crucial Christmas period.

The service will be available to members of its Amazon Prime delivery scheme which offers unlimited free two-day delivery. Shoppers would be able to purchase products until Friday evening for Sunday delivery in the run up to Christmas.

The move mirrors the etail giant’s strategy in the US where Amazon said it will provide the service to shoppers in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Phoenix from next year in partnership with the US postal service.

Amazon will use third parties to deliver the London orders.

Amazon vice president of worldwide operations and customer service Dave Clark told the Wall Street Journal: “We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service.”

Amazon is stepping up its distribution capabilities. Next year four new smaller distribution centres will open to complement its seven 50,000 sq ft main centres.

The new centres will be in the Midlands, Yorkshire, the North West and South West.