Why Amazon warehouses are called fulfilment centres and how many are in the UK

In the mid-1990s, the Amazon warehouse and its office were one and the same. A handful of employees and one lovable dog shared the Seattle space, along with shelves and shelves of books.

Over time, one warehouse became hundreds, and they are now called Amazon fulfilment centres. While they store millions of items and employ hundreds of thousands of people who seek warehouse jobs, Amazon fulfilment centres are a far cry from your typical warehouse. Read on to learn more about these facilities, Amazon warehouse jobs, and where to find Amazon fulfilment centre tours.

The name says it all: Amazon fulfilment centres are designed to fulfil customer orders. These facilities go far beyond traditional warehouses—they don’t just store products, they also serve as high-tech distribution hubs where associates pick, pack, and ship items with speed and precision. Powered by advanced robotics, scanning technology, and sophisticated computer systems, Amazon fulfilment centres can process and track millions of products every day. But the concept of "fulfilment" extends beyond just parcels. These centres also support career growth through programmes like Career Choice, and they bring to life the ideas of engineers and developers who are constantly innovating to make the process faster, smarter, and more efficient.

As of 2025, Amazon operates 31 fulfilment centres across the UK, including facilities in Manchester, Coventry, and Dunfermline.

There are more than 175 fulfilment centres around the world in more than 150 million square feet of space, the majority located across North America and Europe.

Amazon offers thousands of fulfilment centre jobs across the UK, with roles available year-round. Demand for warehouse jobs increases, especially during peak seasons like Christmas, when recruitment, training, and operations scale up to meet customer demand.

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Whether you're interested in a leadership position, IT support, human resources, or hands-on roles like picking, packing, and shipping orders, there are opportunities to suit a wide range of skill sets. Associates also help organise shipments and load lorries, all within a fast-paced, tech-driven environment. Amazon offers a competitive starting wage of at least £10.50 per hour in London and £9.50 in other parts of the UK. To explore open positions and learn what it's like to work inside an Amazon fulfilment centre, visit www.amazon.jobs.

No matter the season, Amazon fulfilment centres are well ventilated and kept at the same comfortable temperature you'd find at home. Skylights combine with artificial lighting to keep the environment bright, while conveyance systems shuttle items across the building and boxes from packing stations to awaiting lorries.

No, Amazon also operates sortation centres, where packages are distributed based on location and delivery speed, specialty centres designed for specific item categories or for seasonal use, and receive centres for popular items distributed throughout the network. Dividing facilities by function allows Amazon to fulfil orders for products as big as a canoe or hot tub, or as quirky as a five-pound gummy bear or Halloween costume for your pet. Learn more about the types of Amazon buildings here.

Public tours are available at eight locations in England and Scotland. Find out more and book your tour at amazon.co.uk/fctours