The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Strong international growth at Amazon

24.07.08 Philip Jones

Amazon.com's international sales continued to outpace its US sales, with media sales alone up by 38%, according to second-quarter results released by the internet retailer.

International sales, representing the company's UK, German, Japanese, French and Chinese sites, were $1.9bn, up 47% from second quarter 2007, pushing up their share of the overall Amazon.com business from 45% to 47%. Excluding the impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, international sales grew 34%.

Operating profit at the international businesses also grew strongly, up from $83m to $149m in the quarter ended 30th June. Sales from media products, including books, rose to $1.26bn from $0.9bn--though its electronics category was its fastest riser, up more than 50%.

Overall, Amazon saw its turnover rise 41% to $4.1bn in the second quarter, compared with $2.9bn in second quarter 2007. Operating income increased 86% to $217m in the second quarter compared with $116m in second quarter 2007. Included in the second quarter 2008 operating income is a $53m non-cash gain from the sale of its European DVD rental assets to LoveFilm.

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