For the first time in nine years Amazon has announced plans to increase the cost of a Prime membership, which will rise $20 to $99 per year.
Amazon hasn’t disclosed exact numbers, but did say Prime membership is in the tens of millions, and that it signed up one million new members in the third week of December alone. The service includes free 2-day shipping on 20 million items and access to a library of digital books and streaming video.
“The intersection of consistency and convenience for these customers has attracted so many people,” StellaService CEO Jordy Leiser said in an interview with the Associated Press. “It shaped the expectations of everyone in the industry.”
StellaService data shows that Amazon shipped packages in 3 days, 10 hours in the second half of 2013. StellaService Analysts select standard shipping at checkout.
Amazon also announced a $10 increase for student Prime memberships to $49 annually. The Amazon Fresh same-day grocery delivery service, currently available in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, will remain at $299 per year.
StellaService data & commentary around the web:
- Associated Press via ABC News | Amazon Hikes Prime Membership to $99 Per Year
- Mashable | Amazon Raising Prime to $99 per Year
- Re/code | Amazon Prime Price Rises to $99 and You Know You’ll Still Pay for It
- CNBC | New Amazon Prime fee makes shoppers do the math
Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
The post Amazon Hikes Cost of Annual Prime Membership appeared first on Bright.