Thu, 26th May 2011

Amazon to bring 900 jobs to Edinburgh

Online retail giant Amazon is to create 900 jobs in Edinburgh. The company's new Customer Service Centre at the city's Waverley Gate will need 500 permanent and 400 temporary workers to handle internet and telephone customer queries including technical support for Amazon Kindle and MP3 services.

Amazon has received a £1.8 million grant from Scottish Development which will be used  to help train new staff and to support the construction fit-out of the new premises which are expected to open in August 2011.

The retailer said its decision to invest in Scotland was influenced by the availability of a high quality workforce in Edinburgh and the financial and account management support available from Scottish Development International. 

Alex Salmond said: "Amazon is globally recognised as a leader in online retail and I am delighted that the company is expanding its Scottish operations with the creation of a new Customer Services Centre in Edinburgh." 

He added: "Amazon has a substantial presence in Scotland and this announcement is testament to the quality, strength and skills of its Scottish workforce. This news provides a significant boost to the local economy, creates 900 jobs in the heart of Edinburgh, and demonstrates the company's commitment to working in Scotland."

Amazon already has a substantial presence in Scotland with operations in Gourock, Glenrothes and South Queensferry. In January, Amazon announced that it would create a further 950 jobs in Scotland - 750 jobs in Dunfermline and 200 jobs in Gourock.
 
"As our business continues to grow and we move into new areas like Grocery, Sports and Clothing, our customer services support needs to expand as well," said Allan Lyall, vice president of European Operations and Customer Service at Amazon. He continued: "Edinburgh is an outstanding location, providing us with access to a highly-skilled workforce who will help us to achieve the high standards of customer service that shoppers at Amazon.co.uk expect."

Danny Cusick, President of the Americas for Scottish Development International commented: "When a world-leading company like Amazon chooses to invest in Scotland, it sends a message to the rest of the world that Scotland is a world-class destination." 

Scottish Development International (SDI) is a government agency which helps overseas businesses tap into Scotland's key strengths in knowledge, high level skills, technology and innovation. SDI also works to help Scottish companies do more business overseas and to promote Scotland as a good place to live and work. Its work is guided by the Scottish Government's strategy for economic development in Scotland.