Amazon Announces Expansion Of Operations In UK With New Fulfillment Center

Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN announced on Thursday that it plans on opening a 1 million square foot fulfillment center in Coalville, Leicestershire.

Amazon noted that its new fulfillment center will create 500 new permanent jobs over three years as part of the company's plans to create 2,500 permanent jobs in the UK this year and bring its total workforce to 14,500 by the end of 2016.

Amazon added that it has invested more than £4.6 billion (approximately $6.61 billion) in the UK since 2010. The company also plans on hiring new members to its head office, research and development facilities and AWS UK data centers.

"We are excited to create 500 new permanent jobs over three years in Leicestershire with competitive wages and comprehensive benefits starting on day one," said John Tagawa, Amazon's Vice President of UK Operations. "Amazon has a dedicated and enthusiastic workforce who play a crucial role in delivering a first rate level of service for our customers and we look forward to recruiting people from Leicestershire and the surrounding area."

Shares of Amazon were trading higher by 1.29 percent at $534.10 ahead of Thursday's opening bell.