Amazon to Invest £40 Billion in UK Over Next Three Years

Amazon has announced a significant investment of £40 billion in the UK over the next three years, from 2025 to 2027. This substantial commitment underscores Amazon's long-term dedication to the UK as a crucial market, rich in talent and innovation. The investment is poised to have a far-reaching impact on various industries, including logistics, digital technology, creative sectors, and cloud computing. It is projected to contribute £38 billion to the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027.

A considerable portion of the £40 billion will be allocated to expanding Amazon's operational network across the UK. This includes the construction of four new, high-tech fulfillment centers. Two of these centers, located in Hull and Northampton, have already been identified. Additionally, two more fulfillment centers will be established in the East Midlands, although their exact locations remain undisclosed. This expansion indicates Amazon's strategy to disperse its infrastructure beyond London, where much of its previous investments have been concentrated.

In addition to the new fulfillment centers, Amazon plans to open numerous new delivery stations to enhance its last-mile delivery services. These stations will help reduce delivery times, alleviate congestion, and boost productivity for businesses nationwide. The company also intends to renovate and expand over 100 existing buildings, including warehouses and sortation centers. These upgrades will include new robotic systems, sustainability improvements, and worker-friendly features, aimed at enhancing safety and productivity.

Amazon will also construct two new office buildings at its UK headquarters in East London. These buildings will support its corporate employees, housing teams focused on software development, customer experience, and artificial intelligence. This investment is expected to create thousands of jobs across the UK, particularly in areas that have historically received less private-sector investment. Amazon, already one of Britain's largest private-sector employers with over 75,000 employees, anticipates adding thousands more permanent, full-time positions over the next three years.

The new and existing facilities will generate over 60 different types of jobs, ranging from warehouse associates and robotics technicians to mechatronic engineers, IT workers, and health and safety officers. Amazon is also committed to developing apprenticeships and training schemes to maintain a talent pipeline for future positions. The company offers competitive wages, starting at £28,000 a year outside London and £30,000 in London, along with various employee benefits such as healthcare, parental leave, and education assistance.

A significant portion of Amazon's investment will be directed towards bolstering the UK's digital economy, particularly through Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company's cloud computing unit. In September 2024, Amazon announced plans to invest £8 billion by 2028 in creating, operating, and servicing data centers across the UK. These data centers will support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning services, benefiting companies of all sizes and aligning with the UK's aspirations to lead in AI infrastructure.

In the creative sector, Amazon is expanding its footprint with Prime Video and studio operations. The company plans to redevelop the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire as part of the new investment. This site will become a major production hub for UK-originated film and TV content, creating hundreds of jobs for production crews, writers, and actors. Additionally, Amazon is investing in upskilling UK creatives through multimillion-pound training initiatives and a new education partnership focused on media and digital production.