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Amazon has angered shoppers by doubling the minimum spend needed to get free delivery on many items to £20.

The increase will see low prices bumped up by delivery fees, and could drive customers away from the company – already under fire for failing to pay a fair level of corporation tax – and back to the high street.

Amazon offered free delivery on many items until July 2013, when it imposed a minimum spend of £10 to get free delivery, exempting books, DVDs and games.

Amazon has angered shoppers by doubling the minimum spend needed to get free delivery on many items to £20 

As of yesterday, customers must spend at least £10 on books and £20 for the majority of other items to qualify for free delivery. 

Some have suggested Amazon is trying to force customers to sign up to its £79-a-year Prime subscription service, which includes unlimited free one-day delivery on certain items. 

Under the new regime, shoppers will have to pay a £1.73 delivery charge for a pair of £12.95 sunglasses – increasing the cost by 13 per cent. And a £15.99 bikini will have a £2.98 delivery charge, upping the price by 19 per cent.

Amazon is hoping shoppers will try to avoid fees by making extra purchases to take orders over the £20 threshold.

A copy of the e-mail received by many customers this morning with no explanation to why the changes are happening

Guy Anker, of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: 'This is a big blow to anyone who had hoped to get hassle-free, free delivery for spending between £10 and £20.' He also criticised Amazon for denying the alterations earlier this week.

A contributor on Amazon's customer forum said: 'Looks as though I'll now be shopping more at Argos, eBay, Wilkinsons.'

On Engadget.com, one critic wrote: 'I hate Amazon now, Amazon logistics is simply the worst delivery system I have ever used.'

Amazon refused to explain the reason for the change.