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Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Amazon suffers major Prime Day labor problem
Amazon (AMZN) just wrapped its annual Prime Day event, and according to the retailer, it was its biggest Prime Day ever. Amazon opted for a longer Prime Day than usual this year, making it four days long, which probably helped Amazon quite a bit with what it calls "record sales" - although it did not disclose the exact amount it made. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Amazon also emphasized that its independent sellers broke sales records, which is likely highlighted in hopes of combating negative press collected earlier this year about the impact of tariffs on small businesses that operate on Amazon. It quoted the small beauty brand Olivia Garden, who told Amazon, "Prime Day 2025 was our most successful Amazon shopping event since launching our store in 2019," per co-owner Anne Maza of the small business Olivia Garden. Related: Amazon faces troubling allegations from angry customers So perhaps Amazon has proved that its sheer retail power can overcome even the fear of tariffs. Give people enough great deals, offer them for longer than usual, and they'll still come. That said, Amazon did struggle with one problem during Prime Day that may point to a flaw in the company's operational prowess. Amazon wanted this Prime Day to be huge, and clearly was aware that the demand from customers could potentially outweigh its ability to handle it. So Amazon sent a Slack message to thousands of Amazon employees working in the New York area to ask them to volunteer to help with Prime Day, per reporting from The Guardian. More Retail: Huge retail chain suddenly closing hundreds of storesMajor retailer scores huge benefit from Joann bankruptcyHome Depot, Target, Ulta and more strike back at retail crime The ask said the company needed corporate volunteers to work two-hour shifts between 10 am and 6 pm on Tuesday through Friday in Brooklyn, where an Amazon warehouse provides grocery delivery services. The message also stated that volunteers would help to pick items, prepare carts, pack boxes, and prepare bags of groceries, and promised to "boost morale with distribution of snacks." Related: Amazon CEO makes a seemingly impossible promise However, employees were also told they could step into conference rooms as needed to take meetings and calls, as they were still expected to maintain their regular job duties. This is not the first time Amazon has done this, according to a statement from Amazon spokesperson Griffin Buch. "This support is entirely optional, and it allows corporate employees to get closer to customers while enabling our store teams to focus on the work that's most impactful," Buch said. While Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said he's bullish about Amazon's grocery business, the company has certainly had a challenge finding its footing in the space, as Amazon Fresh has had its share of struggles in the past. In 2023, Amazon suspended the opening of new Amazon Fresh stores, closed several locations in London, and laid off employees. The company also further brought Whole Foods executives into the fold. Ex-Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel moved to Amazon in 2022 to head up its grocery division, while 30-year Whole Foods veteran Karen Christensen now leads North America Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go. For Prime Day 2025, Amazon prepared several deals to entice customers to use Fresh, including a free 90-day trial for new customers and $30 off deliveries for current members. However, some critics complain that Amazon Fresh has an identity issue that discounts won't solve. "Amazon became successful being an innovator offering better buying options for buying goods. It looks like Fresh was started as a follower in a low-margin, highly competitive industry where they have no advantage on buying the branded items they sell," writes Sax Maritime president Joseph Sabbage in a story for Supermarket News. "The consolidation of Amazon's retail locations will only show improved returns if changes are made, especially at Fresh," Sabbage continued. "If they continue to open and operate Amazon Fresh stores without major changes they will continue to lose money." Related: An unpleasant change is coming to Amazon Prime The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Business Wire
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Amazon Prime Day 2025 Delivers Record Sales and Savings in Expanded Four-Day Shopping Event
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon announced today that Prime Day 2025 was its biggest Prime Day event ever and that customers saved billions on deals across more than 35 product categories, more savings than any previous Prime Day event. This year's Prime Day event was bigger than any previous four-day period that included a Prime Day event, with record sales and more items sold during the four days. Members saved big on best-selling brands like Dyson, medicube, and Philips Sonicare. "We're thrilled to see record savings for our customers, who found great prices on the everyday essentials and products they love." Amazon Prime brings members fantastic savings, convenience, and world-class entertainment—and this year's four-day Prime Day event gave them more time than ever to shop and save. Prime members scored deals across categories including electronics, beauty, and household essentials on best-selling products like Apple AirPods Pro 2, BIODANCE Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask, and Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray. Prime members purchased millions of Alexa-enabled devices, and the Ring Battery Doorbell and Fire TV Stick HD were two of the event's best-selling items. The savings didn't stop there—Prime members stocked up on grocery deals like 50% off all ice cream and frozen desserts at Whole Foods Market and $30 off purchases of $150 or more across all Amazon Fresh selection, including fresh produce and other perishable items. This year's Prime Day experience was enhanced by Alexa+—Amazon's next-generation personal assistant now available in Early Access to millions of customers—along with the AI-powered shopping assistant, Rufus, and AI Shopping Guides. These features helped customers easily discover deals and get product information, complementing the fast, free delivery that Prime members enjoy year-round. "This year's extended Prime Day event delivered incredible savings to our members across millions of deals," said Doug Herrington, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Stores. "We're thrilled to see record savings for our customers, who found great prices on the everyday essentials and products they love. This event wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our employees, delivery partners, vendors, and sellers who worked tirelessly to serve our customers. Their efforts made this our biggest Prime Day yet, and I'm grateful for their contributions." Independent sellers—most of which are small and medium-sized businesses—also achieved record sales and a record number of items sold. 'Prime Day 2025 was our most successful Amazon shopping event since launching our store in 2019,' said Anne Maza, co-owner of the small business Olivia Garden. 'We saw impressive sales not just on our Prime exclusive deals but across our entire catalog. Beyond the immediate revenue boost, we're especially thrilled about the increased brand awareness and the acquisition of new customers through the event.' Prime Day is one of the many benefits available to Prime members who enjoy a wide range of shopping, savings, and entertainment benefits all in one membership. In the U.S., members have access to: More than 300 million items available with free Prime shipping and tens of millions of the most popular products available with free Same-Day or One-Day Delivery. Same-Day Delivery is currently available on millions of items for customers across more than 140 U.S. metro areas. Exclusive deals and shopping events like Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days. Access to Prime Video, a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. The viewing experience can be customized to watch movies, series, documentaries, and live sports, including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce. The option to use the convenient shopping benefits of Prime—like fast, free delivery, a trusted checkout experience, and easy returns—on participating brands' websites with Buy with Prime. Alexa+, the next-generation of Alexa, powered by generative AI. Early Access to Alexa+ is available to millions of customers in the U.S. Ad-free listening of 100 million songs and millions of podcast episodes with Amazon Music. Prescription medications as low as $1 per month and fast, free shipping from Amazon Pharmacy. Access to unlimited eligible generic prescription medications for only $5 per month (including free shipping) with RxPass from Amazon Pharmacy. High-quality health care from One Medical for a discounted membership fee of only $9 per month (or $99 annually vs. $199 annually for non-Prime members), with the option to add up to five additional memberships for the family for only $6 per month (or $66 annually) each. Shop from our wide selection of high-quality and low-priced grocery products through Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market, with exclusive in-store and online savings and other benefits like access to grocery subscription. Unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos. Access to free games and a monthly Twitch channel subscription with Prime Gaming. Read from a selection of eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, comics, and manga. A free Grubhub+ membership valued at $120 per year, offering unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. Savings of $0.10 per gallon at more than 7,500 bp, Amoco, and participating ampm locations across the U.S., potentially saving Prime members on average nearly $70 per year on gas if purchasing at qualifying locations. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit and follow @AmazonNews. About Amazon Prime Prime is savings, convenience, and entertainment all in one membership. More than 200 million paid Prime members around the world enjoy access to Amazon's enormous selection, exceptional value, and fast delivery. In the U.S., we offer more than 300 million items with free Prime shipping, including tens of millions of the most popular products available with Same-Day or One-Day Delivery. Anyone can join Prime for $14.99 per month or $139 per year, or start a free 30-day trial if eligible at Additionally, young adults can try Prime Young Adult with a six-month $0 trial at then pay a discounted rate of $7.49 per month or $69 per year for a membership. Qualifying government assistance recipients and income-verified customers can get Prime Access for $6.99 per month at For more information about Prime, including discounted memberships, visit
