Amazon launches bulk storage service in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK from 20 August. Sellers get automated replenishment to FBA centers and lower stock-out risk, but deepen dependence on Amazon's logistics chain.
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Amazon is rolling out its bulk storage service across Europe's five biggest ecommerce markets, giving third-party sellers a new way to hold inventory inside the company's logistics network.
Amazon Warehousing & Distribution, or AWD, launches 20 August in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK. The service lets sellers store products with Amazon for extended periods, then automatically replenish stock at Fulfillment by Amazon centers based on demand.
"AWD helps you address supply chain challenges by providing flat-rate, long-term bulk storage in Amazon distribution centres with automated replenishment to FBA fulfillment centres across Europe," the company told selling partners. On top of the storage fee, Amazon charges for processing and transportation to FBA centers.
Amazon already commands those five markets. Third-party sellers – more than 100,000 in Europe alone – generate the majority of sales through Amazon's European stores, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.
The service addresses a specific problem: during peak periods like Prime Day or Black Friday, sellers risk running short on inventory at FBA centers. With AWD, they can keep a larger buffer without hitting FBA capacity limits or manually restocking, the company says.
AWD also tightens Amazon's grip on the logistics chain. Sellers get easier operations, but dependence on Amazon's infrastructure deepens. The company positions the service as a tool for European SMEs, framing it as a growth catalyst rather than a lock-in.
Amazon launched AWD in the US four years ago. American sellers now also use the service to supply non-Amazon sales channels, but that option is not part of the European launch. Amazon has not said whether AWD will expand beyond the five initial markets in Europe.
The timing follows last year's fee restructuring for FBA, the core fulfillment program. AWD inserts a new link between sellers' inventory and the FBA network, a link that Amazon controls end-to-end. For sellers, the trade-off is straightforward: more storage flexibility in exchange for deeper integration with the platform that generates their revenue.
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