Amazon launches SaaS cloud marketplace: report

Amazon launched an app store for resellers called Marketplace Appstore, featuring tools to handle pricing, inventory, advertising, among others.

A report from CNET US said the app store will be available in North America through Amazon's Seller Central, the online retailer’s main hub for resellers. The app store will be rolled out gradually to resellers.

"Many developers have innovated and created applications that complement our tools and integrate with our service," Amazon told CNET US.

"We created the Marketplace Appstore to help businesses more easily discover these applications, streamline their business operations, and ultimately create a better experience for our customers."

The report added that Marketplace Appstore is invite-only for developers but is free for them to join and use. Any companies interested in joining will need to submit a request and go through a review by Amazon.

Jeff Cohen, chief marketing officer of one of the app store providers Seller Labs, told CNET US that Marketplace Appstore is connected to Amazon's broader push to build stronger ties with developers of reseller tools.

He added that the efforts resulted to the app store and a new advisory board called the Marketplace Developer Council, both of which are aimed to help bolster communication between Amazon and participating developers.