SEATTLE _ Amazon.com, not content with having what analysts estimate are 60 million members in its Prime loyalty program, is launching Prime in the world's second most populous country: India.
The move showcases Amazon's big bet on the fast-growing South Asian giant, which has the potential to become a huge e-commerce marketplace.
With Prime, Amazon piles the chips even higher, as it's promising unlimited one-day and two-day delivery, at no cost beyond membership, in a vast country with infrastructure that's not on par with the rest of its marketplaces in the developed world.
"With Prime, guaranteed one-day delivery becomes an everyday experience instead of an occasional indulgence, and with no minimum purchases, it provides unlimited convenience all year long," Amit Agarwal, Amazon's chief for India, said in a statement.
With the launch comes an offer of a free 60-day trial period. Yearly membership costs the equivalent of about $15 a year, much less than the $99 U.S. Prime subscribers pay. Amazon is offering half off the annual membership price in an introductory offer.
