Amazon has committed to a substantial £40 billion investment in the UK, marking a strong endorsement of the country’s economic climate. Over the next three years, the e-commerce leader will expand its presence in the UK, creating thousands of new jobs and boosting its existing workforce of 75,000 employees.
The planned investment includes the development of two new high-tech fulfilment centres in the East Midlands, slated to open by 2027. These will complement new facilities in Hull and Northampton, expected to create 2,000 jobs each. The investment will also fund the construction of additional delivery stations nationwide, as well as upgrades to Amazon’s existing network of over 100 operational sites. Amazon’s corporate headquarters in London will receive two new buildings, and the company will redevelop the Bray Film Studios in Berkshire.
This move is a significant part of Amazon’s ongoing strategy, which also includes an £8 billion investment in its cloud services, targeting data centre growth in the UK between 2024 and 2028. The full £40 billion investment will also contribute to employee salaries and infrastructure enhancements, reinforcing the company’s standing as one of the UK’s largest private sector employers.
The announcement comes as the UK’s Labour government aims to stimulate economic growth and attract more foreign investment. While Amazon’s plans are viewed as a positive signal, the company is also facing scrutiny, with an ongoing investigation by the UK grocery regulator into its supplier payment practices.