Online book retailer Book Depository has announced it will be closing before the end of this month.

It comes after its parent company Amazon flagged ‘role eliminations’.

Book Depository’s website spruiks a range of more than 20 million books and free delivery worldwide — shipping to more than 120 countries.

“Our vision is to provide all books to all by improving range, access and affordability of books,” the website says.

But by April 26, it will be closed. 

The UK-based online store made the announcement over social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It said books can be ordered up to 12pm BST on April 26.

“…we will continue to deliver your purchases and provide support for any order issues until 23 June 2023,” the retailer said.

The news was met with sadness by people who relied on the retailer to order books from overseas.

“Book Depository was the only way I could afford to buy books that aren’t available in my country (English books, manga/manhua) since I’m from [Latin America] and the delivery costs are ridiculously expensive,” one Twitter user said.

“This is such sad news. You have made it possible to send books to my nieces and nephews in mainland Europe in spite of Brexit,” another said.

Who owns Book Depository?

Founded back in 2004, Amazon bought Book Depository in 2011.

Where is Book Depository based?

Book Depository has offices in the UK, Spain, India and South Africa.

It has ‘fulfilment’ centres in Melbourne and Gloucester, UK.

Why is Book Depository closing?

The announcement did not detail a reason.

But it comes amid cutbacks at its parent company, Amazon.

Late last month, Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy gave an update on the company’s operational plan and “role eliminations” .

“For several years leading up to this one, most of our businesses added a significant amount of headcount,” he said.

“This made sense given what was happening in our businesses and the economy as a whole.

“However, given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount.

“The overriding tenet of our annual planning this year was to be leaner while doing so in a way that enables us to still invest robustly in the key long-term customer experiences that we believe can meaningfully improve customers’ lives and Amazon as a whole.”

He said about 27,000 jobs were being cut from the company — but it’s unclear how many of those were from Book Depository.