14 DAY TRIAL // Amazon is already a top-tier online store, but it looks like it felt it could do with an expansion in terms of how many books it has to offer and where, perhaps even enabling an acceleration in the expansion of its digital e-book collection.
E-books have been selling quite well over the past year, much to the detriment of physical, traditional books made of paper.
Still, books aren't about to go away just yet, even though some countries are already putting into motion plans to digitize the educational curriculum.
As such, Amazon decided to buy The Book Depository, an online bookstore that is based in the UK but sells paper books, with free shipping, to over 100 countries.
“Customers in more than 100 countries enjoy The Book Depository’s vast selection, convenient delivery and free shipping,” said Greg Greeley, Amazon’s Vice President of European Retail.
“The Book Depository is very focused on serving its customers around the world, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Amazon family.”
The exact financial terms were not disclosed but, naturally, seeing Amazon buy out one big rival stirred some concern amongst the latter's customers.
Fortunately, the assurance was given that The Book Depository brand is not going to disappear any time soon, especially with how the bookstore will continue to operate independently.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that the two entities are very different from each other as far as product portfolio and customer base go.
Then again, Amazon has bought drastically different companies in the past, like Zappos and daily deal site Woot.com, both of which are still in business, so there is no reason to worry about The Book Depository going away just yet.
Still, some changes are bound to happen, but only time will tell their impact and whether they draw the ire of consumers in any way.