Amazon to Hire 2,000 Workers in the U.K. for Distribution

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world’s largest online retailer, will hire 2,000 people in the U.K. in the next two years as it adds new offices and expands its presence in the country.

The company opened a fulfillment center in Hemel Hempstead, England, that will account for 600 permanent jobs, Amazon said in a statement. An additional 3,000 temporary posts will be created for the Christmas season when orders peak.

“This is great news, not only for those individuals who will find work, but for the U.K. economy,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement.

Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos plans to open 18 fulfillment centers this year to speed deliveries and help Seattle, Washington-based Amazon siphon shoppers from physical stores. The investment has taken a toll on earnings and Amazon said in July it expects a third-quarter operating loss of as much as $350 million.

To contact the reporter on this story: Amy Thomson in London at athomson6@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kenneth Wong at kwong11@bloomberg.net