In its second-quarter results, the retailer reports net sales of $1.1bn (拢685.9m) in the three months to June 30, compared with $806m for the same period last year. At the same time, the net loss was reduced to $43m from $94m during the same period last year.
Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive of Amazon, said: "In January, we shifted money from TV and print advertising to customers through lower prices and free shipping. We're pleased with the results."
The company has also said that it is cutting the free-delivery threshold in the UK from 拢39 to 拢25. In the US, Amazon delivers orders over $25 for free.
Amazon pleased the markets by raising its outlook for the rest of the year. It has predicted net sales growth of between 25% and 30% for the year, with operating income of between $215m and $255m.
"Our strategy of offering low prices and free shipping, combined with the inherent advantages of online shopping, is allowing us to raise our guidance," Tom Szkutak, chief financial officer of Amazon.com, said.
The quarter was a bumper period for most book retailers, with the release of the fifth instalment in the 'Harry Potter' series. Amazon reaped the benefits, selling 1.4m copies of the book worldwide in June.
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