Amazon's handyman marketplace

After you purchase a new appliance on Amazon.com, you won't have to go far to find someone to help you install it.

The e-commerce giant is reportedly breaking into the local services market, connecting its customers to handymen to help them install products they buy online.

The move marks a broader push by Amazon to compete with physical retail stores, which still account for more than 90 percent of sales, and puts the online retailer at odds with other sites like Yelp and Angie's List.

For now, customers #link:http://services.amazon.com/selling-services/cities.htm?ld=EL-www.amazon.comAS:in nine U.S. states# would have the option of adding a third-party professional's services to their shopping cart before checking out online. The new offering would be known as Amazon Local Services.

According to Amazon's website, the company would act as a middleman for handymen, plumbers, electricians, computer technicians, auto mechanics, specialists in car electronics and home media and appliance technicians.

Amazon would retain a 20-percent cut for services under $1,000 (804.70 euros), and 15 percent for anything above that.

Amazon has long jockeyed to increase its role as a marketplace for third-party vendors. Its efforts have given rise to offerings such as Amazon Fresh, a home delivery service for groceries, and Amazon Local, a daily deals service similar to Groupon.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's CEO, has personally invested in Pro.com, a Seattle-based startup that connects customers and contractors for home improvement or repair projects.

cjc/hg (dpa, Reuters)