Book Depository is shutting down amidst Amazon layoffs

Online bookstore Book Depository is closing down after almost two decades of selling books with free delivery worldwide.

"From all of us at Book Depository we want to say 'thank you,'" the UK-based company said in its announcement on Thursday. "Delivering your favourite reads to you since 2007 has been a pleasure."

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In a statement to Mashable, a Book Depository spokesperson stated the decision to close was made "following a review across the company to prioritize what matters most to customers and the long-term health of our businesses."

Book Depository's last day of operation will be Apr. 26, and it will continue to accept orders until 7 a.m. EST / 12 p.m. BST that day. It will also continue to provide support for any order issues until Jun. 23, but after that you're on your own.

Any book lovers with pre-orders at Book Depository may want to check their anticipated novels' release dates as well. While pre-ordered books released before Apr. 26 will be delivered as normal, Book Depository will contact customers and refund any that aren't shipped by that date.

Many customers are already mourning Book Depository on social media, crediting it with supplying affordable books to avid readers around the globe. It was also particularly beloved for providing people with books they were otherwise unable to get in their country, as well as independent titles that were harder to find.

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Though the announcement did not offer any official reason for the closure, Book Depository's death comes amid mass layoffs at its parent company Amazon. Approximately 27,000 job cuts have been announced over the last four months, including in its Devices and Books businesses, as Amazon attempts to cut costs. Book Depository was acquired by Amazon in 2011.

Amazon has since confirmed to Mashable that Book Depository's closure is part of these cuts. An Amazon spokesperson directed us to their January blog post discussing the elimination of roles in its Books businesses, though the post did not mention Book Depository by name.

UPDATE: Apr. 6, 2023, 10:22 a.m. AEST This article has been updated with comment from Amazon.

UPDATE: Apr. 12, 2023, 10:28 a.m. AEST This article has been updated with comment from Book Depository.