Amazon to Condense European Operation

Amazon.com Inc. said it will consolidate its European customer service operations, the latest move by the Internet retailing behemoth to cut costs in its quest for profitability. Seattle-based Amazon said it will transfer its pan-European customer service operation, which employs about 240 people in The Hague, to existing centers in Britain and Germany. The move does not mean the company is backing away from its investments in Europe, a company spokesman said. Shares of Amazon fell $1 to close at $13.38 on Nasdaq.