Amazon will increase the annual price of Prime in the US

Amazon will increase the price of its catch-all Prime membership to $139 annually in the United States, up from the prior price of $119. The change goes into effect February 18 for new members, March 25 for old. This is the third time Amazon has raised the prices in the US since Prime’s introduction back in 2005. Amazon cited higher transportation costs and wages as well as expanded products and services within the membership as reasons for the increase. The company announced the change on the heels of its quarterly and annual earnings reports to investors, which showed reduced profits as a result of those rising expenses. The service had 200 million subscribers as of last year, including 200 million people who signed up for the service as of February 18. The previous time was in . . .