SEATTLE, Dec. 26 /CNW/ - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) today announced it has
ended its busiest holiday season in the site's six-year history, thanks to an
increasing number of Canadians across the country taking advantage of the low
prices, vast selection, everyday convenience and holiday gifting features
offered by Amazon.ca.
"At Amazon.ca we are constantly working to offer our customers the best
possible shopping experience, not just around the holidays, but throughout the
entire year," said Julie Todaro, director of Amazon.ca. "We are thrilled that
we were able to provide our customers with an increased variety of products by
opening the Electronics Store in time for the holidays, and would like to
thank all of our customers for their support. We look forward to continuing to
offer great prices, a seamless shopping experience and one-stop convenience in
the coming year."Among the highlights of Amazon.ca's 2008 holiday season:
- The last holiday order contained four video games and 3 DVDs and was
shipped in time for delivery on December 24 in time for Christmas.
- Amazon.ca shipped holiday gifts to 120 countries around the world,
including Algeria, Aruba, Australia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Egypt,
Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Malawi, Pakistan, Romania, Slovakia,
Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia.
- Within Canada, Amazon.ca shipped packages as far north as Grise
Fiord, Nunavut, as far east as St. Brendan's, Newfoundland, and as
far west as Beaver Creek, Yukon.
Holiday Top Sellers on Amazon.ca
--------------------------------
Amazon.ca's five bestselling items during the holiday season in each
product category (based on units ordered since Nov. 1, 2008) were:
Books
1. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (standard edition)
by J.K. Rowling
2. "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell
3. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
4. "The Shack" by William P. Young
5. "Through Black Spruce" by Joseph Boyden
Music
1. "And Winter Came" by Enya
2. "A Winter Symphony" by Sarah Brightman
3. "A Midwinter Night's Dream" by Loreena McKennitt
4. "Let It Snow" by Michael Buble
5. "The Priests" by The Priests
DVD
1. "Planet Earth: The Complete Series"
2. "The Dark Knight" (Blu-ray)
3. "The Dark Knight"
4. "Wall-E"
5. "Mamma Mia!"
Electronics
1. Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000
2. Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card
3. Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical
Image Stabilized Zoom
4. Kingston DT100/4GB DataTraveler 100 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
5. Canon PowerShot A590IS 8 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical
Image Stabilized Zoom
Video Games
1. Nintendo Wii includes Wii Sports
2. Nintendo Wii Nunchuk Controller
3. Nintendo Wii Remote Controller
4. "World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King" Expansion Pack
5. "Mario Kart" Wii with Wii Wheel
Software
1. NeuroActive Program (Eng/Fr)
2. Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 English
3. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
5. Hoyle Card Games 2009
Most-Wished-For Products on Amazon.ca
-------------------------------------
The most-wished-for items from Amazon.ca customers for the 2008 holiday
season:
1. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (standard edition)
by J.K. Rowling
2. "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay
3. Zune 80 GB Digital Media Player
4. "Rush Hour"
5. Nintendo Wii with Wii Sports
Most-Gifted Products on Amazon.ca
---------------------------------
The most-gifted items from Amazon.ca customers for the 2008 holiday
season:
1. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (standard edition)
by J.K. Rowling
2. "And Winter Came" by Enya
3. Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000
4. "Yoga Conditioning for Athletes"
5. "Mario Kart" Wii with Wii WheelAbout Amazon.ca
Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) is part of the global family of Amazon web
sites that have become known for great prices, selection, and convenience.
Amazon.ca customers can find and discover millions of English and French
books, CDs, videos, DVDs and electronics, as well as a vast array of software,
video games and consoles--all at everyday low prices. Amazon.ca also offers
FREE Super Saver Shipping, available on orders of $39 or more delivered to a
single Canadian address. Amazon.ca sources products directly from Canadian
publishers and distributors, ensuring a rich offering of Canadian titles and
content. Features such as original editorial reviews in English and French and
product recommendations help Amazon.ca customers find the right products for
them among the site's broad selection. Through Amazon Marketplace, Amazon.ca
customers can conveniently buy and sell used, new, and collectible merchandise
on the same pages where Amazon.ca sells those items new.
To ensure all orders are delivered to customers quickly and efficiently,
Amazon.ca works with Canada Post, one of the world's most progressive postal
companies. Orders placed at Amazon.ca are fulfilled and shipped from within
Canada by Assured Logistics, a part of the Canada Post Group of Companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from
management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition,
management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential
fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal
proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality,
commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign
exchange rates, system interruption, significant amount of indebtedness,
inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More
information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial
results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007, and subsequent filings.
For further information: Margaret Antkowski, NATIONAL Public Relations,
mantkowski@national.ca
