Amazon to launch in Singapore in 2017: report

Singapore

AMAZON is planning to launch in Singapore in the first quarter of next year, according to a report in TechCrunch on Wednesday which cited sources.

The Business Times also understands that Amazon has leased about 100,000 square feet in a facility in the Jurong East area.

"The US company is likely to initially offer its Prime delivery service alongside its AmazonFresh grocery service in Singapore," the tech news website reported, adding that the company has been making new hires as well as investments into assets such as refrigerated trucks.

Amazon declined to comment when contacted, TechCrunch said.

A report from another media company said that Amazon has placed over 70 ads for positions in Singapore over the last six months for functions such as marketing, supply chain and business development.

This comes as Amazon has been building up its businesses in Asia, such as with a US$3 billion investment into its India business in recent months and the introduction of its Prime service in China.

On Wednesday, Alibaba-backed Lazada also announced that it is acquiring local e-grocer RedMart. Amazon was said to have been looking at RedMart earlier this year but the bid failed to go through.