Amazon scotches shops report

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Internet retailer Amazon has rubbished reports that it is planning to open shops on high streets in the UK.

It was rumoured that the online giant wanted to tap into a new trend among consumers who want to buy on the internet but then collect from a store.

An Amazon spokesman said: "We have no plans to open physical stores anywhere in the world."

According to the Sunday Times, the retailer has "secret" plans to find high profile sites as shoppers grow tired of problems with mail deliveries.

Postal services are increasingly being seen as the Achilles heel of online stores, particularly highlighted with the recent Royal Mail postal strikes.

A number of stores including Argos and John Lewis offer shoppers the option to collect in-store and Amazon is said to be looking at gaining a bricks and mortar presence to compete.

Its move to branch out from just selling small items such as CDs and books - which can fit in many post boxes - to larger items is also said to have made the need for an alternative collection service more pressing.

Amazon has so far defied the economic slump that has hit many of its high street rivals.

It posted a 33% rise in sales at its UK and international arm in the three months to September.

The sales growth in the international division outstripped the performance for the wider Amazon business, which grew revenues by 28% to 5.45 billion US dollars (£3.31 billion) in the quarter.