amazonprime Amazon’s sales pitch to consumers about the benefits of the company’s Prime program continues to resonate, research suggests.

In a report released Monday, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) estimated Prime members in the United States ended 2015 numbering about 54 million, up 35 percent from the same period in 2014. CIRP also said its research shows that 47 percent of Amazon’s customers are Prime members. The web’s biggest retailer doesn’t publicly disclose these figures so estimates are all we have.

amazonprime

Increasing the number of Prime members is a big deal for the retailer. Members spend more on average, about $1,100 per year compared to the $600 per year for non-members, CIRP said its report. Prime members also tend to be more loyal, and Amazon retains approximately 95 percent of them after one year, CIRP said in July.

Prime members pay $99-per-year to receive free shipping as well as other benefits, including access to the company’s video-streaming subscription service.

Other signs also suggest that Amazon had a good year driving Prime growth. During the most recent holiday shopping season, the retailer reported that the number of worldwide Prime members increased by more than 3 million in a single week. In July, CIRP said its analysis showed Prime membership in the US numbered about 44 million.

Amazon reports its fourth-quarter earnings this Thursday afternoon.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.