Book Depository, the online bookseller based in the U.K. that was set up by a former Amazon employee and purchased by Amazon in 2011, is closing down. An Amazon spokesperson told the Bookseller: "We have taken the difficult decision to close the Book Depository following a review across the company to prioritize what matters most to customers and the long-term health of our businesses."
Vendors and publishing partners were informed by e-mail that Book Depository will be closing April 26: "Over the coming weeks we will complete a winding down of the business, including discontinuing our listings as a marketplace seller and closing our website." The Bookseller noted that the e-mail also said the closure would be done in "a structured way" to give vendors and consumer customers "a business as usual experience" during the process.
Andy Chart, head of vendor management, concluded: "I would like to take this opportunity to say a big 'Thank You,' from everyone at Book Depository and our book-loving customers, for your supportive partnership over the years in helping us to make printed books more accessible to readers around the world."
When asked about the reasons behind the closure of Book Depository, Amazon directed the Bookseller to a blog post from January 2023, in which Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wrote to employees outlining significant cutbacks as a result of "the uncertain economy."