 The world's largest web retailer has seen sales soar |
Amazon.com has seen third-quarter profits more than triple as sales increased in all its world markets. The Seattle-based online retailer said profits were $54m (�29.5m) in the quarter ending 30 September compared to $16m in the same period a year ago.
Sales for the quarter were $1.46bn, up 29% overall on 2003.
North American business was up 15% to $816m, boosted by an increase in free shipping offers, while international sales were up 52%.
Amazon, which started life as a US-based online books retailer, now has operations in Japan, the UK, Germany, France and Canada, and sells a range of merchandise including consumer electronics and toys.
Amazon said a distribution centre in Scotland was fully operational and ready to help meet expected Christmas holiday season demand from European customers.
The firm was also "well positioned" to start a DVD rental business but had nothing to announce yet, chief financial officer Tom Szkutak said.
Amazon projected full-year 2004 net sales to be between $6.68bn and $6.93bn, below some analysts' forecasts.
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