Welcome to RepricerExpress’ weekly round-up of the top five stories from the world of Amazon and ecommerce.
Amazon to launch delivery service that would vie with FedEx, UPS: Laura Stevens at The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is working to further expand their delivery network to be able to fulfil more customer orders themselves. In 2015 they spent $11.5 billion on shipping costs, and in 2017 rose to $21.7 billion. Part of this plan is a new “Shipping with Amazon” program that will first be rolled out in Los Angeles. It will have Amazon pick up packages directly from sellers and then deliver them to customers. Continue reading…
Amazon paid $90m for camera maker’s chip technology: The Independent reports that Amazon paid about $90m (£64m) to acquire the maker of Blink home security cameras late last year. The deal’s rationale and price tag, previously unreported, underscore how Amazon aims to do more than sell another popular camera, as analysts had thought. The online retailer is exploring chips exclusive to Blink that could lower production costs and lengthen the battery life of other gadgets, starting with Amazon’s Cloud Cam and potentially extending to its family of Echo speakers, one of the people said. Continue reading…
Amazon pledges to create 2,000 new permanent jobs in France this year: Dominique Vidalon at The Independent reports that US online retail giant Amazon has said it will create 2,000 permanent contract positions this year in France. The increase will bring Amazon’s total number of permanent French staff to 7,500 in 2018 and reflects confidence in the economy of a country where the Seattle-based retailer invested over €2bn (£1.77bn) since 2010, the company said in a statement. Continue reading…
Hey Alexa, is it true a TV advert made Amazon Echo order cat food? Mark Sweney at The Guardian reports that an Amazon TV ad for the Echo Dot, which can perform functions such as making shopping lists and play music with voice commands, features people using the device in different situations. In one a man’s voice says: “Alexa, reorder Purina cat food.” Alexa responds: “I’ve found Purina cat food. Would you like to buy it?” Consider reading…
Amazon surpasses Microsoft in market value for the first time: CNBC reports that Amazon is now worth more than Microsoft. Amazon’s market value — its closing share price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding — rose to $702.5 billion on Wednesday, and for the first time passed Microsoft, which is worth $699.2 billion as of the close of trading. Only Apple and Alphabet are now ahead of Amazon among the most valuable companies in the world. Consider reading…
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