Amazon Payments Targets PayPal With New Partner Programme

Amazon’s quest to be the world’s leading commerce company is to be strengthened by the launch of a new payment programme for suppliers and partners.

Unveiled at the Money 20/20 show in Copenhagen today, the Amazon Payments Partner Program offers third-party merchants a quick and simple way to integrate Amazon Payments into their operations.

The free to use service in now open in the UK, as well as the US, Germany and Japan, but does require an invitation to join.

Simplified

Amazon relaunched its payments business in 2013 and the partner programme is the latest stage in its battle with the likes of PayPal.

Previously, Amazon Payments were limited to retailers who had a present on Amazon’s site. Now, the platform has been extended to those who have external marketplaces

.The hope for them is that by accepting Amazon Payments, window shoppers will be more likely to make a purchase.

Amazon says over 23 million customers have used its Pay with Amazon service on a third-party website, which also provides a wealth of user data on customer shopping habits, which it can then use to assist with suggesting targeted products on its own website.

“The Amazon Payments Partner Program provides Partners with the tools and resources needed to extend the trust and convenience of the Amazon experience to their merchant customers,” said Patrick Gauthier, vice president of Amazon Payments.

“We are working together across geographies and industries to help merchants grow and create experiences that delight customers throughout the shopping journey.”

Amazon has been testing several new ways to encourage people to shop, some of which seem more plausible than others. Last month, the company field a patent application for a facial recognition system that will allow shoppers to make a purchase by taking a photo and/or video of themselves, instead of needing to enter their account password.

What do you know about Amazon? Take our quiz!