Amazon is introducing its AmazonSmile function to the UK to channel charity donations from Amazon customers.

When a customer shops via smile.amazon.co.uk, Amazon will donate a 0.5 per cent of the purchase price at no additional cost to customers or the charities.

The UK version is launching with 10 major UK charities, including Cancer Research UK, The British Red Cross, and the Royal British Legion, with enrolment opening to all UK charities registered with the Charity Commission next year.

"We're offering a simple way for customers to support good causes ahead of the busiest shopping period of the year," said Doug Gurr, UK country manager, Amazon. "Over time, we hope to see similar success here as in the US, where over USD62 million has been donated to over 230,000 charities since launching." The service launched in the US four years ago.

In early 2018, all registered charities in the UK will be invited to apply to be part of AmazonSmile, enabling customers to select more charities, small or large, local or national.

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