Amazon Prime Day: what is it and when does it start?

Telegraph Reporters
Updated
Amazon is promising thousands of deals over a 30-hour period on July 10 and 11 this year.  - REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Amazon is promising thousands of deals over a 30-hour period on July 10 and 11 this year. - REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

If you like a bargain, then Amazon Prime Day, the online retail giant's third annual one-day flash sales event, has almost arrived.

The retail behemoth is promising deals on thousands of products over a 30-hour period to those who are members of its subscription service.

Here's everything you need to know about the Black Friday-style discount day. 

Amazon Prime Day countdown

When is Amazon Prime Day?

This year, Amazon is holding Prime Day on Tuesday, July 11.

While previous years have been a 24-hour shopping blitz, Amazon is starting Prime Day earlier this year. Deals will actually start at 6pm on Monday, July 10.

Last year, Prime Day was held on July 12. The first Prime Day was held on July 15 2015, the anniversary of the founding of the online retail giant by chief executive Jeff Bezos.

Profile | Jeff Bezos

How does Prime Day work?

To participate in Prime Day, users must be signed up to Amazon Prime, the £79-a-year subscription service that gives users access to unlimited one-day delivery on many items, as well as Amazon Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading and early access to deals.

However, until midnight tonight, Amazon is offering a £20 discount on the annual fee, which is currently available to new members for £59. 

Typically, there are two types of deals: those that last all day, and Lightning deals which are activated at a particular time, and are limited in stock, lasting until they run out.

You'll have to be quick though -  there will be new deals released as often as every five minutes. We'll be rounding up the best of them on the Telegraph website on the day. 

Have any deals already been announced?

Pet owners should brace themselves for some huge savings. The PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher is expected to drop in price by at least 30pc, while the PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Avalon Pet Fountain's priced could be slashed by over 40pc.

There will also be a number of savings on electrical equipment. This stylish Philips wireless lighting set will have at least 30pc shaved off its original price. And parents will rejoice with news that the Motorola MBP36S Digital Video Monitor may be 20pc cheaper on Prime Day.

Those in search of the perfect start to their day may also be in luck. This popular De'Longhi Nespresso machine will be available at half price, and Prime members can expect 35pc off this Breville sandwich toaster. 

Are deals just available in the UK?

No. Prime Day has expanded to 13 countries this year, including and Amazon the US, UK, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium and Austria. 

What is Amazon Prime?

What is Prime Now?

Previously, every Prime Day deal has been available for next-day delivery. Items have also been eligible for two-hour delivery with Amazon's Prime Now service. Prime Now has expanded to nine major cities in the UK - you can check if it's available in your area here.

The best TV shows on Amazon Prime

What are the levels of Prime membership?

  • Prime: For £79 per year (or £7.99 per month) you get access to all the levels of Prime membership from shopping, to videos and music.

  • Prime Video: This membership level for offers unlimited video and film streaming on Amazon's video service.

  • Amazon Family: Get all the benefits of Prime membership, plus an additional 20 per cent of nappies.

  • Amazon Student: For just £39 per year users can get all the benefits of Amazon Prime plus exclusive student deals - and the first six months are a free trial.

Amazon Prime Day grid

The Telegraph makes a small amount of money by adding affiliate links to products mentioned in this article, however all products are picked independently by our journalists.