“Prime Day is the new Black Friday,” says Fastlane International

E-commerce delivery specialist Fastlane International believes that Amazon’s Prime Day has overtaken Valentine’s and Black Friday – and is set to create an annual summer shopping bonanza. Not only are Amazon’s own sales set to beat its Black Friday-busting results from last year, said Fastlane International, but Amazon’s retail rivals have been quick to get on board the new summer shopping festival.

(As Post&Parcel reported earlier today, UK retailer Argos has been offering a special offer on free Fast Track delivery for today only, and Walmart in the US has been doing free shipping promotions too.)

Warming to the “Prime is the new Black” theme, Fastlane International’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks, believes the event is set to transform summer shopping habits: “Amazon’s Prime Day may only be open to its Prime Members; but its bargains have already pushed revenues ahead of key days such as Valentine’s.

“Last year the event, launched to celebrate Amazon’s 20th birthday, enticed 10.5m visitors on to its UK site alone. This year it’s looking to be even bigger here in the UK: that’s because a third of Amazon UK shoppers are already Prime members: and that number is growing all the time.”

Jinks added: ‘There’s clearly large consumer support for a summer sales event, despite Brexit retail wobbles. Amazon’s rivals have been quick to get in on the act.  For example, Argos has a Fast Track free delivery event; Curry’s and PC World held bumper sales; and Tesco went large on toy bargains. The Gap and Banana Republic also launched online-only big savings.

“Over 29m people visited UK retail websites last year on Prime Day seeking more bargains: and it looks as if that number will be overtaken today.”