Amazon taking Prime Day to a new level

Amazon is upping the ante on Prime Day — giving consumers even more time to shop.



The third annual sales event is officially set for Tuesday, July 11. This year, however, the sale will span 30 hours, with the first deals rolling out every five minutes starting at 9 pm EST on Monday, July 10.



In addition to extending the duration of Prime Day, Amazon is also expanding the breadth of this year’s event by going global with its deals. Along with the U.S., shoppers in 12 countries will be able to participate. The United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico, to Spain, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium and Austria are all in on the event.



Amazon is also making efforts to personalize this year’s experience. Deals will organized by more than 20 of the most-shopped-for themes, including categories such as pet lovers, gardeners, techies and artists, among others – a move that will make it easier for Prime members to find merchandise. Customers will also have access to Alexa-exclusive deals, available to members with an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Amazon Tap, compatible Fire TV or Fire tablet.



The retailer is also already teasing special promotions to its shoppers in the market for televisions. While the online giant isn’t getting specific, it promised there will be “"amazing" deals on a "variety" of television brands — including the Amazon Fire TV edition of the ultra high-definition Element 4K TV.



To further whet shoppers’ appetites before the big day, starting on Thursday, June 29, Amazon is offering Prime members a couple of early-bird deals. These include a four-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited for $0.99; 40% off of a Kindle Unlimited membership, and a 40% discount on a six-month Audible membership — which will cost shoppers $8.95 per month.



According to Amazon, the company is preparing to have “hundreds of thousands” of deals, and millions of items available in stock for a record number of shoppers — including deals from thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs. In fact, nearly 40% of all Prime Day "lightning deals" will be offered by small businesses and entrepreneurs selling on Amazon’s marketplace.



For example, Amazon’s inaugural event, which was created as a way to reward its Amazon Prime subscribers, generated better sales than the company’s previous year's Black Friday. And momentum increased even further in 2016.



During Prime Day 2016, customer orders surpassed the first shopping event by more than 60% worldwide and more than 50% in the U.S. It was also the biggest day ever for Amazon devices globally. Prime mem-bers across the globe also saved more than double on deals over Prime Day 2015, the online giant said last year.