CDNow Relaunches Using Amazon.com's Ecommerce Platform

Posted on December 6, 2002

After struggling against competitor Amazon.com for several years, CDNow is now turning to the ecommerce giant to run its website. CDNow and Amazon.com have announced the relaunch of the CDNow.com website using Amazon.com's ecommerce platform. The announcement comes shortly after news in early November that CDNow was shutting down its Pennsylvania office and laying off 33 employees.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amazon.com will provide inventory, fulfillment, site content and customer service. CDNow Preferred Buyer's Club members will continue to have access to the Preferred Buyer's Club area through links on the new CDNow.com site and via CDNowpbc.com. CDNow will remain a part of BeMusic, which is also home to BMG Music Service and BeMusic's other record club businesses.

The multiyear agreement between CDNow and Amazon.com extends the list of alliances Amazon.com has formed with other brands such as Toysrus.com, Borders.com and Virginmega.com. Amazon is also the ecommerce provider for the recently launched Waldenbooks.com website, which was part of the Amazon.com and Borders Group, Inc. deal.