US retail giant, Amazon, has acquired online fabric store Fabric.com in a bid to improve its range of products. The deal, which was closed for undisclosed terms, will see Amazon expand its current selection of sewing, craft and hobby items in the US with patterns, fabrics and sewing accessories.

"Over the years, we've seen a growing interest in this segment from our customers," says the VP of Amazon.com's home and garden division, Chris Nielsen, speaking about the acquisition. Fabric.com CEO, Stephen Friedman, adds: "We now have the opportunity to significantly expand our breadth of inventory, as well as benefit from the technology, fulfillment and customer service expertise of Amazon.com."

The move follows rumours in Mar that Amazon is rolling out wine sales, after reportedly recruiting a senior wine buyer. In Aug, it launched food delivery service AmazonFresh as an invite-only trial service in the Seattle suburb of Mercer Island. The service has now expanded into west Seattle and two other suburbs, offering fresh fruit and vegetables alongside frozen and non-perishable items.

Fabric.com, originally founded as Phoenix Textiles Group in 1993, went online in 1999. The firm, which has 41 full-time staff, is currently based in Georgia.