Amazon News

Baby blanket

Amazon, Target, and Others Pull Weighted Baby Sleep Blankets From Shelves

These baby products raise safety concerns.

Starbucks shop

Amazon and Starbucks Share How Cautious Customers Are With Their Spending

Amazon and Starbucks executives believe U.S. consumers are becoming increasingly frugal with their spending.

Protesting

Should Google Have Fired Its Protesting Employees?

Google reportedly fired about 50 employees in April for participating in sit-in protests at company offices. How should firms deal with activist employees?

Amazon Fresh insulated grocery delivery bags on front porch closeup

Will the New Amazon Grocery Subscription Take Off or Fall Flat?

Amazon has launched a new subscription-based grocery delivery service aimed at streamlining the shopping experience for its Prime members. How will this service impact the traditional grocery retail model, especially in terms of customer loyalty and market share?

Whole Foods

Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh Offer Unlimited Deliveries for $10 a Month

Amazon has unveiled a new program that allows customers of both Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh to receive unlimited grocery delivery for just $10 per month.

Amazon fulfilment center

Are Amazon’s Livestreams a Natural for TV Shopping?

Expanding the reach of Amazon Live, Amazon has launched an interactive, shoppable, and free ad-supported (FAST) channel on its Prime Video and Freevee streaming services. Is this a potential game changer for livestreaming’s growth in the U.S.?

Amazon Ends Drone Delivery in California, Here’s Where It’s Going Next

This new location will allow for quicker, same-day delivery.

Returning package

Should More Retailers Be Accepting Third-Party Returns?

A university study finds that partnerships involving physical stores accepting returns from other retailers or brands “can be a win-win.” Should significantly more retailers be open to accepting returns from and allowing returns to third-party retailers?

Factory worker

Oxfam Report Reveals Concerns Among Amazon and Walmart Warehouse Workers Over Extreme Surveillance

Both Amazon and Walmart use excessive surveillance in their warehouses and the “concerning” implementation poses a serious risk to employees’ health and well-being, according to a recent report by Oxfam.

Fuel plant

Bill Gates-Backed Alternative Fuel Startup Powers Energy for Amazon, American Airlines

Infinium, an alternative fuel startup backed by Bill Gates and based in Sacramento, California, has set out to create low-carbon alternatives to aviation fuel, diesel, and Naptha.

Dash Cart in an Amazon Fresh store

Will Smart Carts Pay Off Better Than ‘Just Walk Out’ for Amazon?

Amazon plans to remove its “Just Walk Out” technology from Amazon Fresh stores, replacing it with its Dash Cart smart shopping cart device. Will Dash Cart offer significantly more appeal to in-store shoppers?

Grocery shopping on the left, doctor on the right

Will Walmart’s Mammogram Partnership with RadNet Improve Patient Access?

Walmart recently announced a partnership with RadNet to offer mammograms at select Walmart Health locations. Should local care providers be worried or looking to integrate their practices?

Outside of an Amazon building

MrBeast Secures $100 Million Amazon Deal for Largest Competition Series in TV History

MrBeast, the popular American YouTuber, has struck a deal with Amazon MGM studios worth possibly $100 million for his first streaming series.

Amazon haul prime boxes and envelopes delivered to a front door of residential building

Will Amazon’s Big Spring Sale Be a Boon to Spring Retailing?

Amazon announced plans to introduce its first-ever Big Spring Sale running from March 20 through March 25, becoming the platform’s third major strategic selling event of the year. Is this sale much of an opportunity for Amazon and spring selling overall?

Exterior view of the Amazon Logistics delivery agency in Velizy-Villacoublay, France Spring sale

Amazon’s New Feature Enables Sellers To Create Listings Through a URL Using AI

Amazon’s latest innovation uses generative AI to extract information from an item’s URL on external sites and automatically generates an Amazon listing.

Chatbot on phone

Are AI-Driven Chatbots Only Frustrating the Online Shopper Journey?

AI-powered chatbots were seen as the most disruptive AI application causing friction in online shopping experiences, according to a recent survey of 1,000 U.K. consumers. Are AI-supported chatbots generally causing more consternation than solving problems for online shoppers?

Person delivery groceries

Can Same-Day Delivery Overcome Its Costs and Complexities?

A survey from UPS-owned Roadie finds retailers still seeking to determine whether the sender or customer should cover the costs of same-day delivery. What path or tools do you see to securing sufficient ROI (return on investment) for same-day delivery?

How Will Computer Vision Change the Retail Experience?

AI has become a buzzword in the retail industry, and retailers like Sam’s Club and Home Depot are stepping up their game, particularly in one area of AI: computer vision. How can the retail industry maximize computer vision’s impact to enhance customer experiences in-store and online while addressing privacy concerns?

Photo of a phone with the Amazon app loading

Jeff Bezos Overtakes Elon Musk as World’s Richest Person

The former owner of Amazon holds the No. 1 spot on the Billionaires Index for the first time since 2021.

Amazon Robot named Digit

Amazon Begins Using Humanoid Robot Workers

In a nondescript Amazon warehouse near Seattle, employees recently encountered the future of work: a 5-foot-9-inch robot named Digit. As humanoid robots like Digit join warehouse operations, what ethical considerations should leaders prioritize to ensure fair treatment of both human and robotic workers?

Will the New Small-Format Whole Foods Stores Succeed or Fail Yet Again?

Whole Foods Market has unveiled plans to launch smaller stores, aiming to cater to urban dwellers looking for quick shopping trips. What strategic advantages and challenges might Whole Foods face?

Doorbell camera

Your Video Doorbell Might Be at Risk of Being Hacked

According to a Consumer Reports investigation, a long line of video doorbells sold by major retail companies such as Amazon, Walmart, SHEIN, Sears, and Temu are at risk of being hacked.

Exterior view of the Amazon Logistics delivery agency in Velizy-Villacoublay, France Spring sale

Amazon To Pay $1.9 Million in Settlement Due to Human Rights Abuse Claim

Over 700 migrant workers will receive around $1.9 million in settlement following claims that they were subjected to human rights abuse from exploitative labor contracts in Saudi Arabia.

Outside of an Amazon building

Amazon Aims for a Bigger Piece of the DSP Ad Tech Space

The online tech giant is pushing to get advertisers on board to utilize its ad tech for purchasing ads across various publishers, not limited to its media. While this option has been available for a while, Amazon’s ad executives are currently going strong with their efforts.

Outside of an Amazon building

Amazon Joins Companies Alleging US Labor Board Is Unconstitutional

Online giant Amazon.com has now joined a long list of companies such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX and American grocery chain Trader Joe’s claiming that a U.S. labor agency’s in-house enforcement proceedings breach the U.S. Constitution.

Remote layoffs

Could Remote Work Put You at a Higher Risk of Layoffs?

Since lockdowns were lifted, employers and employees have been in the battling ring over the return to the office and what that looks like.

NFL sing in front of footballs

Amazon Lands Exclusive Rights To Stream NFL Playoff Game

Amazon has won exclusive streaming rights for one National Football League game next season. The playoff will be available for viewers on the Prime Video platform.

Image of the Google logo on top of a building

Google Rebrands AI Chatbot Bard to Gemini and Rolls Out New App Offering

Google has revealed a big rebrand of its artificial intelligence chatbot and assistant, Bard. The program will now be called Gemini.

Garment Steamers Posing a Severe Burn Hazard Under Recall

Over 2 million garment steamers have been recalled due to “posing a serious burn hazard to consumers.”

Can Target’s ‘Project Trident’ Membership Rival Amazon Prime and Walmart+?

Project Trident might be just what Target needs to compete against its retail rivals. How might this new membership program disrupt the existing dynamic between Amazon Prime and Walmart+?

Chatbot with Amazon logo

Amazon Looks To Elevate Discovery With AI-Driven Chatbot

Amazon is launching its first AI-powered shopping assistant called Rufus. How much of a threat is Rufus to Google and social media sites that support discovery?

Phone with Amazon logo on the screen

Amazon Introduces a Shopping Assistant: Meet Rufus

An AI-powered shopping assistant promises to make customer shopping more interactive than ever for Amazon.

Amazon Prime Video

Will Ads Arriving on Prime Video Finally Launch Shoppable TV?

Amazon has started running ads on its U.S. Prime Video service. Do you see the arrival of these ads accelerating the opportunity around shoppable ads?

Amazon Prime user.

Amazon Prime Video Now Includes Ads

There will be a major change to how customers can view Amazon Prime Video beginning today.

FedEx and Amazon trucks

Can FedEx Compete With Amazon Through fdx?

FedEx will compete with Amazon using a new fdx platform, but will it deliver? How can FedEx leverage its history and logistics expertise to compete with Amazon’s FBA program through the introduction of fdx?

Outside of an Amazon building

Amazon Fashion To Launch AI Fit Tool To Reduce Returns

Amazon is planning to improve online fit by using AI to reduce the number of returns.

17-Year-Old Makes $30,000/Month With Amazon Side Hustle

17-Year-Old Makes Over $30K Per Month With Amazon Side Hustle

17-year-old Bella Lin used her $2,000 savings to start an Amazon side business, which she created to solve the problem of disappearing pet guinea pigs.

US Holiday Retail Sales up 3.1% Reveals Mastercard

US Holiday Retail Sales Up 3.1%, Reveals Mastercard

A Mastercard SpendingPulse report revealed that U.S. retail sales grew by 3.1% year-over-year between the start of November and Christmas Eve.

US regulator Warn Consumers to Stop Using Doraemon Toy Magnets After Seven Deaths

US Regulator Warns Consumers To Stop Using Doraemon Toy Magnets After 7 Deaths

A warning was sent out alerting consumers to immediately stop using the magnetic ball sets by the Chinese seller Doraemon.

Amazon in Discussions to Invest in and Partner With Diamond Sports

Amazon in Discussions To Invest in and Partner With Diamond Sports

Amazon is in conversation with regional sports programmer Diamond Sports Group to add another competitive string to its bow and take on rivals such as Netflix and Disney by expanding its portfolio of sports content.

Ad Firm Claims to Use 'Active Listening' Tool to Reach Consumers

Ad Firm Claims To Use ‘Active Listening’ Tool To Reach Consumers

Consumers have been concerned that their devices may be selling data to advertisers. A new “Active Listening” tool now takes this worry to a heightened level.

Amazon Prime grocery delivery

Does Amazon Need a Grocery Delivery Subscription Offering?

Amazon is testing a $9.99 monthly subscription model earning Prime members unlimited delivery on Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods orders over $35. Do you think this move will help Amazon compete with other grocers?

X and Amazon in Talks About Potential Partnership

Elon Musk’s X Seeks a Partnership With Amazon

Elon Musk’s social media platform X completed preliminary talks with Amazon to incorporate itself into its ad-buying software.

A poster advertising Black Friday deals.

Here’s How To Get Lower Prices on Black Friday Deals

By stacking coupons, watching for sales, and using browser extensions that add even deeper discounts, shoppers can find Black Fridays deals with a little legwork.

Outside of Target

Will Target Eventually Be Fully Superseded by Walmart and Amazon?

Target is in an odd position because Walmart’s brick-and-mortar footprint is much bigger and Amazon is a more prominent online player. What do you think the future holds for Target as Walmart and Amazon continue to grow?

Phone with Amazon logo on the screen

Amazon Unveils Ambitious AI Endeavor With Project Olympus

Amazon has initiated a new project codenamed “Olympus,” aimed at training an ambitious AI model.

Amazon, Temu, and Dollar General logos

Will Temu Topple Both Amazon and Dollar Stores?

Temu’s popularity is rising and pushing the retailer against both Amazon and dollar stores as competition. If Temu were to match Amazon’s shipping services, do you think the company could make most dollar stores obsolete?

Amazon Crowdsources Friends’ Product Recommendations

Amazon is testing a new “Consult-a-Friend” feature that allows shoppers to request, view, and manage their friends’ feedback on products within the Amazon Shopping app. How much consumer appeal do you see for this feature?

Amazon’s ‘Buy With Prime’ Program Emerges as Prime Day Triumph

During Amazon’s recent Big Deal Days event, the Buy With Prime checkout feature played a significant role in driving sales for…

Amazon Defends Against FTC Lawsuit, Asserts Transparency in Prime Program

Amazon has challenged the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) lawsuit accusing the company of deceptive practices related to its Prime subscription service….