Amazon.com’s sales jumped from $1.90 billion in first-quarter 2005 to $2.28 during the quarter just ended. But increases in technology and content and fulfillment expenses ate into its net income, which slipped from $78 million a year ago to $51 million in first-quarter 2006. The quarter ended March 31.
The company’s North American sales amounted to $1.25 billion, up 21% first quarter 2005. International sales rose 18, to $1.03 billion. But that figure includes the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding that, growth in international sales actually outstripped that of North American sales, increasing by 29%.
The quarter marked the first full year of Amazon Prime, a membership program in which for a flat rate of $79 a year, members were entitled to unlimited two-day shipping for free, or next-day shipping for $3.99. The company did not indicate how many customers have taken advantage of this program.
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