Will Amazon.com launch in Canada on Tuesday, June 25? Many industry members believe so, and that notion was further fueled by an invitation the company sent to select industry members, inviting them to "A Special Evening with Amazon.com" on June 25, which follows closely on the heels of BookExpo Canada.
Rumors of Amazon launching its Canadian site have been rampant for several months. The Internet bookseller will use Raincoast's wholesale operation, BookExpress, but Raincoast will not act as Amazon's partner or serve as warehouse, as had been reported in the media. However, Raincoast will act as the primary link between some smaller publishers that do not have an electronic interface and Amazon. Amazon has also been tied to Canada Post, although the corporation would not confirm any involvement with the Internet retailer. Amazon has already employed Canadian freelance writers to write reviews of Canadian books in anticipation of the site's launch.
