US online giant Amazon continued to storm ahead of the competition, boosted by strong Christmas sales with net sales in the final quarter of 2008 up 18 per cent to US$6.7bn (£4.6bn).

Sales for its international sites, including Amazon UK, were up 19 per cent in the last quarter hitting US$3.07bn (£2.1bn).

Sales for Amazon’s full year soared 29 per cent to US$19.17bn (£13.4bn) with operating income up 28 per cent to US$842m (£589m).

Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos said: “We remain relentlessly focused on serving customers with low prices, great selection and free shipping offers, including Amazon Prime.”

He added that demand for Kindle, its digital book reader, was particularly strong. Reports suggest that the e-book could be launched in the UK this year.

Amazon is also expected to launch a grocery offer for non-perishable food items in 2009 as reported in this week’s Retail Week.

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