Amazon Cutbacks Expand to Its Retail Division

Amazon has reportedly rescinded some job offers in its Retail organization.

The Information reported the news Friday (Dec. 2), citing unnamed sources as well as LinkedIn posts from several other people.

This marks an expansion of the firm’s cutbacks, which had previously been largely focused on its Devices organization, according to the report.

Amazon did not immediately reply to PYMNTS’ request for comment.

Amazon’s Retail organization encompasses the Amazon website, Amazon Prime, Amazon Go, Whole Foods, private-label products and other retail efforts, according to a webpage devoted to the team.

The report comes about two weeks after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a message on the company’s website that Amazon’s job cuts will extend into 2023.

He noted in the Nov. 17 message that the company had announced cuts in its Devices and Books businesses, and a voluntary reduction offer in its People, Experience and Technology (PXT) organization.

Jassy added that there would be additional role reductions, including more in the PXT and Stores teams, but that the total number had not yet been determined.

“Leaders across the company are working with their teams and looking at their workforce levels, investments they want to make in the future, and prioritizing what matters most to customers and the long-term health of our businesses,” Jassy wrote in the message. “This year’s review is more difficult due to the fact that the economy remains in a challenging spot, and we’ve hired rapidly the last several years.”

A day before that message, the company announced that it had notified an unspecified number of employees of layoffs after deciding to consolidate some teams and programs within the Devices and Services organization.

The Devices and Services organization includes Alexa, Echo, eero, Kindle, Fire TV and Amazon’s other consumer electronics devices and the affiliated services.

Dave Limp, senior vice president of Devices and Services at Amazon, said in the Nov. 16 message that some of the affected employees may find new roles in the company while others will receive a separation payment, transitional benefits and support with job placement.