Amazon has launched a new service that will let Twitter users shop for its products without having to leave the social messaging site.
Users linking their accounts from the two sites will now be able to automatically add items to their Amazon baskets simply by replying "#AmazonBasket" (or "#AmazonCart" for American users) to any tweet including a link to a product’s listing on the site.
The item will then be saved to a user’s Amazon shopping basket, for purchase at a later time. This will be followed by a reply tweet from @MyAmazon describing the status of the request, including whether the item was successfully added to a users’ basket, or if it was out of stock, or how a user can complete the transaction at a later time.
Marketed more towards everyday items as well as luxury goods, (a video accompanying the launch gives the example of nappies, toothbrushes and video games) #AmazonBasket appears to only be available to UK and US customers so far.
Users will need to ensure they are happy with publicising what products they desire, however, as all #AmazonCart replies will be public on the Twitter user’s account.
The new service is the latest in a series of recent innovations by the online shopping titan as it looks to assert its dominance through a range of new services.
Last month, the company announced that, following a successful trial in the UK, it would be launching a ‘Last Mile’ local delivery service in several US cities as it looks to take on the likes of UPS and DHL in shipping its own products. Such a service would mean customers would receive their orders faster than ever before.
And prior to that, Amazon announced the launch of a ‘Prime Pantry’ service, which will deliver customers 45lbs of selected items (or the equivalent inside a four cubic feet box) to their doorstep for $5.99.
