Amazon to shut down Book Depository as part of cost-cutting measures

Highlights

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• Book Depository, an online bookstore known for its free delivery to over 120 countries, will be shutting down on April 26, 2023, due to Amazon's cost-cutting measures.
• Book Depository has been operating independently from Amazon since its acquisition in 2011, and was preferred by many customers for its free shipping policy and vast selection of books.
• Customers can still place their orders on Book Depository until midday UK time on April 26, 2023, and the company will provide support until June 23, 2023.
• Amazon is facing financial challenges and announced in January that it would slash more than 18,000 jobs globally, with another 9,000 jobs cut in March.

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If you are a book lover who enjoys browsing and buying books online, you may have heard of Book Depository, a UK-based online bookstore that offers free delivery to more than 120 countries. But soon, you will no longer be able to shop from this website, as Amazon, its parent company, has decided to shut it down as part of its cost-cutting measures.

Book Depository announced on its website that it will cease operations on April 26, 2023, and customers can place their orders until midday UK time on that day. The company will also provide support to customers with their orders until June 23, 2023.

Book Depository was founded in 2004 and sells over 20 million books across various genres and languages. It was acquired by Amazon in 2011, but operated independently from the e-commerce giant. Many customers preferred Book Depository over Amazon for its free shipping policy and its wide selection of books.

However, Book Depository's closure comes at a time when Amazon is facing financial challenges and is looking to reduce its expenses. According to CNN Business, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced in a blog post in January that the company would slash more than 18,000 jobs globally, citing "uncertain" economic conditions and its rapid hiring over the past few years. Recently, Amazon has laid off more than 100 people from its video game division.

Jassy wrote that the company was working to support those who were affected and was providing packages that included a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support. In March, the company said it would cut another 9,000 jobs.

It is not clear how many employees will lose their jobs due to the closure of Book Depository. The news of Book Depository's shutdown has sparked mixed reactions from customers and book lovers on social media. Some expressed sadness and disappointment over losing their favorite online bookstore, while others criticized Amazon for its decision and urged people to support local and independent bookstores instead.