Amazon: Prime Day topped last year's order records

Friday, July 8, 2016, Vol. 40, No. 28

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says Prime Day was its biggest day ever with orders up 60 percent globally from a year ago. It says sales of Amazon's own electronic devices were particularly strong.

The e-commerce powerhouse launched the event last July to promote its $99 annual Prime loyalty program, which offers free two-day shipping and other perks.

After some morning checkout glitches Tuesday, sales accelerated later in the day. For example, the company said it had sold 22,000 TVs in the U.S. by 11 a.m. Eastern time, but that number grew to 90,000 by the end of the day.

Sales were offered in the U.S., Canada and Europe where Prime membership is available. Amazon says orders grew 50 percent in the U.S. alone. The Seattle company did not disclose any specific sales figures.