Online retailer Amazon has trebled profits for the second quarter, traditionally the quietest for retailers.

Profits and sales have both risen higher than predicted, with profits up from $22m (£10.7m) to $78m (£37.8m) and sales increasing 35 per cent to $2.9bn (£1.4bn).

Amazon has now raised its full year sales forecast to between $13.8bn (£6.7bn) and $14.3bn (££7bn) and profits forecast to as much as $640m (£312m).

International sales, which include the firm’s UK operations, are up 31 per cent to $1.3bn (£633m).

Electronic products and other non-media items made the most significant gains - up 55 per cent to $970m (£472.7m) - and now account for 34 per cent of all business.

Media sales, which include Amazon’s book division, have risen 27 per cent to $1.8bn (£877m). Book sales also include more than two million pre-orders for the new Harry Potter book.

Amazon is continuing to expand its operations, with plans to launch a digital music store that will allow customers to download music without any digital copyright protection.