• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechAmazon

Amazon Prime Members Now Outnumber Non-Prime Customers

By
Audrey Shi
Audrey Shi
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Audrey Shi
Audrey Shi
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 11, 2016, 2:26 PM ET
Photo by Bloomberg via Getty Images

Amazon Prime members now make up more than half the online retailer’s customer base, according to a new study.

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates that Amazon (AMZN) counts 63 million Prime members among its shoppers—an increase of 19 million from last June.

“Prime is a somewhat different service than it was two years ago,” said Mike Levin, partner and co-founder of CIRP, in the study’s press release. “Amazon has expanded its media offerings greatly, including exclusive video content, HBO programs, streaming music, and now personal photo storage.”

The surge in Prime members may owe as much to the retailer’s discounts as it does its exclusive content. Amazon Prime Day 2015—a day of bargains offered only to Prime members—raked in more new subscribers than any other day in Amazon’s history.

And whereas Prime was once offered only at a $99/year subscription, Amazon’s decision to offer monthly memberships last April has been a huge hit. CIRP’s study estimates that over one-fifth of this year’s new Prime members opted for the monthly plan.

But the e-commerce giant is hardly done with wooing new potential members—and for good reason. The study estimates that Prime shoppers spent about $1,200 on average last year, compared to about $500 for non-members.

Amazon may have more at stake now that Walmart (WMT) is entering the online retail arena. With Prime Day 2016 scheduled for July 12, Walmart (WMT) is hoping to snatch up some of those sales with a week-long no-minimum, free shipping deal of its own.

According to Amazon, the second annual Prime Day will be “the biggest global Amazon event ever,” with new deals to start every five minutes throughout the day.

Fortune has reached out to Amazon for comment and will update this story if the company responds.

About the Author
By Audrey Shi
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.