AOL and Amazon.com have announced plans to expand their
strategic alliance in order to create an enhanced on-line shopping
experience for consumers. In addition to integrating their
technological and on-line retail experience as part of this
venture, AOL is to make a $100 million equity investment in
Amazon.com common stock.
Since the companies began working together on marketing
initiatives in 1997, they have collaborated on several on-going
e-commerce initiatives including customer authentication services.
The companies said in a joint statement:
“The companies will combine tailored
elements of Amazon.com’s powerful and innovative e-commerce
technology platform with AOL’s understanding of online consumers
and popular shopping destinations, to create a rich, multi merchant
e-commerce experience for users… Consumers will benefit from
Amazon.com’s unique Search and Personalization technology as well
as product comparisons, ratings and review services.”
Amazon also announced yesterday its second quarter results,
which show slightly lower losses than had been expected. It
reported a rise of 16% in net sales bringing them up to $668
million for the three month period, which compares favourably with
last year’s second quarter figures of $578 million.
