Amazon plans to build new returns centre in Prague

On 14 December 2015, Amazon announced its intention to open a new returns centre in Prague during the fourth quarter of 2016. Due to its ever increasing number of customers in Europe, the company is planning to relocate its current returns centre from Dobrovíz. The new returns centre will employ 3,000 people; 1,100 employees will transfer from Dobrovíz and 2,000 new workers will be hired in the three years following the start of the centre’s operations. Amazon’s recently opened distribution centre will remain in Dobrovíz. The planned centre will serve the company’s European customers who return goods purchased on the Amazon website.

“We are pleased that we will create an additional 2,000 high-quality jobs in the Czech Republic, for which we will offer our employees competitive wages and a comprehensive package of benefits. We are grateful to the politicians at the local and national levels for their support, thanks to which we decided to expand our operation in the country and to relocate our returns centre to Horní Počernice. We are glad that we will become a full-fledged and active member of the local community,” said Roy Perticucci, vice-president of Amazon for Europe.

Amazon’s investment is being supported by the Government of the Czech Republic. “In past years Amazon has proven to be a reliable partner, so I’m glad that we have agreed on further cooperation. At the same time, I highly value the speed and flexibility with which Amazon wants to commence operation of the new returns centre. Thanks to that, hundreds of people will find jobs by the end of next year, when they will help to cover the largest growth of returns stemming from Christmas purchases. Speaking for my section and for the whole government, I can promise that reducing unemployment will be among our main priorities in 2016,” said Jan Mládek, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.