Amazon denies high street rumours

Amazon has scotched reports that it is planning to open high street shops in the UK.

It had been believed that the online retailer wanted to tap into “click and collect” services where shoppers buy online but pick up items from their nearest store.

However, a spokesman for Amazon says it has “no plans to open physical stores anywhere in the world”.

According to reports, the internet shop had launched a search for stores to support its website.

Recent postal strikes have led to many retailers considering alternatives to postal deliveries.

Tesco, John Lewis and Argos already offer “click and collect” services. The latter says 18% of its internet sales are from items bought online and collected in-store.

Amazon has outperformed many of its high street rivals in the past year. It recently  reported a 33% rise in sales at its UK and international division in the three months to 30 September.