Online retail giant Amazon is to create 1,200 new jobs in south Wales.
The British division of the international internet group announced plans to build an 800,000sq ft distribution centre in Swansea today.
Logistical and customer service employment opportunities will be phased in over the next five years, with operations due to begin on a limited basis in time for this year's Christmas rush.
Amazon.co.uk said it hoped to make 400,000sq ft at the 33-acre site in Jersey Marine operational by October this year.
"This new development will play an integral part in fulfilling current and future demand and we feel that the site's great location, coupled with the ability to draw from a pool of strong local talent, will make this an extremely effective and efficient operation," commented Allan Lyall, vice president of European operations at Amazon.
Australian construction firm Macquarie Goodman has been tasked with building the distribution centre, Amazon said.
Amazon's continued British expansion reflects the growing market share of online retail transactions, which increased by 56 per cent in 2005 on the previous year's figures.
The Swansea plant will be Amazon's fourth distribution centre in the UK.