13 July 2010, 12:32 PM
  • Amazon is tapping into the speciality food market by selling brands such as Inverawe smoked salmon and Fudges biscuits online

Conventionally known for selling electronic goods and books, Amazon is attempting to take a slice of the fine food market by offering slightly more than online supermarket Ocado, which stocks Waitrose and John Lewis-branded products.

Amazon is currently offering more than 22,000 products in their grocery section. James Leeson, director of grocery said, “Amazon.co.uk’s aim is to be the place where customers can find and discover any product they want to buy online.

“With unlimited virtual shelf space, customers can choose from a wide variety of products. We will work tirelessly to increase the selection of grocery items available to be delivered directly to customers’ doors,” he said.

Regular users may be tempted by the unlimited free one-day delivery for an annual fee of £49. Supermarkets typically charge between £4 and £6 but shoppers can choose specific time slots.

Ocado said that 2% of total grocery sales in the UK were made online, and put the value of the market last year at £3bn.