Amazon is preparing to expand the range of grocery products it sells.
Christopher North, the UK boss of the online retailer, told the Guardian that Amazon plans to grow its Pantry service rapidly in the new year.
Amazon Pantry, which launched in November, allows customers to buy from a range of around 4,000 big-brand grocery and household products.
The service allows households to quickly stock up on items, with Amazon charging £2.99 for one delivery of a large box. North told the Guardian: “We are really happy with the early numbers. In the new year we are going to be adding a lot more products.”
Pantry does not sell fresh food, but it is strongly believed by many in the fresh produce industry that the venture’s success could pave the way for the launch of the Amazon Fresh service in the UK. At present, this full grocery service is only available on the west coast of the US and in New York, but there is speculation it could launch in London.
North said: “When we believe we have got the offer right, and the economics, we will roll it out internationally.”
The expansion of Pantry comes on the back of a strong year for Amazon in the UK.
It enjoyed a record day on Black Friday, generating 7.4 million orders, compared with 5.5m last year. It also added millions of users to its Prime membership scheme, and signed up former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson to a new series that will launch on its video streaming service next year.
