Rumors of Amazon UK Scouting Real World Locations Are Denied

By Jason Boog 

amazonuk.jpgOne British newspaper sparked Internet chatter over the weekend, publishing rumors that Amazon.com is scouting locations for a bricks-and-mortar location in the UK. An Amazon spokesperson promptly denied the rumors.

Here are the intriguing rumors, from the Sunday Times: “Property landlords said that the American company, which has a market value of $59.1 billion (£35.6 billion), had launched a secret search for bricks-and-mortar stores to support its rapidly growing website. It is understood to be scouring the country for high-profile sites just as the Borders book chain is shutting up shop.”

The rumors came as as the bricks-and-mortar bookseller Barnes & Noble moveed into digital space–showing off the Nook reader at US stores today. According to the article, Amazon’s UK sales have jumped 33 percent to $2.6 billion in recent months. The rumored move also comes on the heels of Borders UK entering administration last week.