Amazon's expert content for enterprise technology and commerce buyers.
Amazon's MarketScale channel publishes content on cloud infrastructure, logistics, retail technology, and the operational principles that have defined the company's growth over three decades. The channel draws on Amazon's subject-matter experts to address the needs of enterprise buyers evaluating AWS, fulfillment partnerships, and advertising solutions. Content is aimed at B2B decision-makers across technology, retail, and supply chain.
Amazon's strategy pivots on ecosystems, not categories.
This channel argues Amazon succeeds by linking disparate markets (IoT, healthcare, retail, logistics) through network effects and platform leverage, not by dominating individual verticals. Evidence comes from acquisition patterns, product launches, and strategic pauses.
The Amazon channel reveals a company pursuing interconnected ecosystem dominance rather than category-by-category conquest. Whether launching Amazon Sidewalk to bind smart home devices, acquiring One Medical to anchor healthcare subscriptions, or opening Amazon Fresh then pausing it when unit economics didn't align, Amazon deploys capital to create platform stickiness and lock-in across customer touchpoints. The thesis is reinforced by GAP, Peloton, and other brands choosing Amazon's marketplace infrastructure over proprietary channels, and by the company's aggressive M&A despite FTC scrutiny.
Drawn from From Amazon Leader to Franchise Owner: Ramiah … and 9 more →
“Brand ubiquity is the new exclusivity. Brands have all kinds of options these days.”
Carol Spieckerman, Spieckerman Retail President, on Gap's Amazon marketplace move
By the numbers
$4B
One Medical acquisition price for subscription healthcare entry
$1.65B
iRobot acquisition price facing FTC antitrust review
$3.49B
One Medical acquisition price reviewed by FTC
32 states
Initial launch footprint for Amazon Clinic telehealth
What the channel argues
What you'll learn
What to do about it
Who and what shows up
Ramiah Martin
Former Amazon leader turned franchise owner
Exemplifies the channel's theme of experienced professionals leaving corporate roles to pursue purpose-driven entrepreneurship, drawing on skills developed at Amazon, Chobani, and Alto Pharmacy.
Paul Pablo Adamson
Global co-president, Black Employee Network (BEN)
Reflects on how BEN shaped his development as a person, professional, and leader, framing peer support and community as catalysts for sustained career growth.
Carol Spieckerman
President, Spieckerman Retail
Articulated the strategic logic behind major brands choosing Amazon marketplace: brand ubiquity replaces exclusivity when capital for proprietary innovation is scarce.
Andy Jassy
CEO, Amazon
Announced pause on Amazon Fresh expansion, revealing that grocery margins and competitive differentiation blocked further investment despite initial bold brick-and-mortar strategy.
Thomas Malone
Amazon warehouse operator
Documented how BMS CAT's rapid response to a lithium battery fire and warehouse clearance in a 110,000-square-foot facility prevented extended operational downtime.
Questions this channel answers
Why did Amazon pause Amazon Fresh and grocery expansion?
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy revealed the company would delay opening more Amazon grocery stores until they figure out how to differentiate them from established competitors, after growth results fell significantly below pandemic levels.
Amazon Grocery Stores Are Struggling. Experts Say They W… →What is Amazon Sidewalk and why does it matter for IoT?
Sidewalk is a shared, low-bandwidth network announced in 2019 and launched in 2020 that uses compatible Amazon devices to extend connectivity for IoT devices like smart lights and Tile trackers. It has since opened to third-party developers with software and hardware kits.
Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Developme… →Why are major brands choosing Amazon marketplace over proprietary e-commerce?
Innovation is expensive and capital is scarce. Amazon offers readymade access to hundreds of billions of Prime members without requiring brands to build their own infrastructure or absorb associated costs.
Why Amazon Fashion Was the Answer For GAP Expansion →What antitrust risks does Amazon face?
The FTC, led by Chair Lina Khan, prepared antitrust lawsuits targeting Amazon's business practices and reviewed high-profile acquisitions including iRobot ($1.65B) and One Medical ($3.49B) with tougher scrutiny after Khan gained a Democratic majority.
What Does a Potential Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon M… →How is Amazon moving into healthcare?
Amazon announced plans to buy One Medical for nearly $4B to offer 24/7 virtual care and same-day appointments, and launched Amazon Clinic as a virtual health storefront in 32 states with variable pricing and no insurance integration initially.
Amazon Launches Virtual Health “Storefront” →Best place to start
Amazon Grocery Stores Are Struggling. Experts Say They Were Unprepared to Handle Grocery's Thin Margins.Concrete example of Amazon's strategic pause when unit economics don't align, revealing how the company prioritizes ecosystem durability over category conquest.
Amazon's One Medical Acquisition is Critical for Proving Subscription-Based Primary CareShows Amazon's healthcare bet as platform expansion, not standalone vertical, and introduces the $4B acquisition at the heart of current antitrust debate.
Episodes
How BMS CAT Cleared an Amazon Warehouse After a Fire
In this installment of Restoration Journeys, we highlight Thomas Malone’s firsthand account of a crisis at his Amazon warehouse and how BMS CAT’s swift response made all the difference. Arriving for his shift early one morning, Thomas was met with flashing lights and an unexpected disaster—a lithium battery had ignited a fire in the…
BEN Global Summit | Day 3: Personal Growth, Confidence, and the Power of Sharing
Professionals discover how vulnerability and peer support become catalysts for transforming careers and building authentic workplace communities
BEN Global Summit | Day 1: Community, Impact, and Lasting Change
Professionals gathered to transform workplace challenges into collective solutions through shared experiences and leadership insights
BEN Global Summit | Day 2: Leadership, Community, and Networking
Professionals discovered that authentic connection and peer support create the foundation for meaningful career advancement
Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Development?
In episode two of Smart Home on the Range, a podcast devoted to the step-by-step design and construction process of a new smart home and other content, Tod Caflisch walks us through some of the mysteries surrounding Smart Home devices and one of Amazon’s newer technologies, Amazon Sidewalk. Caflisch started his renovation projects about seven…
Can the Benefits of Amazon Sidewalk Outweigh the Risks of IoT Silos and Network Interference?
Amazon Sidewalk has launched into its next phase of growth as the company opens the network to developers, increasing potential to significantly disrupt IoT as we know it. In the early days of Sidewalk, which Amazon announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, only a few developers could build applications for the low-bandwidth, long-range…
Is Amazon Sidewalk the Next Step in Smart Home Development?
In episode two of Smart Home on the Range, a podcast devoted to the step-by-step design and construction process of a new smart home and other content, Tod Caflisch walks us through some of the mysteries surrounding Smart Home devices and one of Amazon’s newer technologies, Amazon Sidewalk. Caflisch started his renovation projects about seven…
Can the Benefits of Amazon Sidewalk Outweigh the Risks of IoT Silos and Network Interference?
Amazon Sidewalk has launched into its next phase of growth as the company opens the network to developers, increasing potential to significantly disrupt IoT as we know it. In the early days of Sidewalk, which Amazon announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, only a few developers could build applications for the low-bandwidth, long-range…
Amazon’s HQ2 Pause Should Force Businesses to Rethink Workplace Flexibility Office Space Expansion
As Amazon decides to pause the construction of its HQ2 project amidst an uncertain economic climate, businesses are forced to grapple with the strategic viability of their workplace and work model. Major tech companies, faced with significant workforce reductions, are reevaluating the need for traditional office spaces and whether it’s a wise decision to consider…
Amazon Grocery Stores Are Struggling. Experts Say They Were Unprepared to Handle Grocery’s Thin Margins.
Amazon went big and bold with its diversified brick and mortar strategy when it bought Whole Foods and launched cashier-less Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores across the U.S. Turns out this may have been a miscalculation for the e-commerce giant. Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, speaking on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, revealed that…
What Does a Potential Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon Mean for Sellers and Consumers?
U.S. regulators are preparing to drag Amazon through the jungle; Amazon is apparently the target of an antitrust lawsuit prepared by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Wall Street Journal first reported on this potential legal action, which is anticipated to target a variety of Amazon’s business practices, however it’s still unclear what…
Amazon Launches Virtual Health “Storefront”
A telehealth solution named Amazon Clinic has been launched by Amazon. Amazon Clinic describes itself as a virtual health “storefront”, where users can search a database of telehealth providers who offer consultations for a wide range of conditions. A total of 32 states will be the first to launch Amazon Clinic. At present, it…
Why Amazon Fashion Was the Answer For GAP Expansion
GAP just launched a dedicated storefront on Amazons fashion platform, marking the most recent of big brands turning to Amazon for e-commerce launches. What should onlooking retail businesses make of this trend? Co-Founder of Riverbend Consulting, Lesley Hensell gives her take on the news and highlights why the current cost of innovation could be a major…
A Perspective on Gap’s Recent Announcement to Sell on Amazon’s Marketplace
Spieckerman Retail, President, Carol Spieckerman provides her perspective on Gap’s recent announcement to sell on Amazon’s marketplace. What is the impact of this on the strategy for big brand eCommerce launches of proprietary marketplaces? Amazon’s marketplace has become so popular that even big brands are turning to it instead of building their own. Carol’s Thoughts:…
Amazon Shares Get Back to Their Winning Ways
(Bloomberg) — Amazon.com Inc. shares are back in a familiar role of outperforming after an ugly first half of 2022, even as investors brace for a slowdown in growth at the e-commerce and cloud computing giant. Amazon is the best-performing stock among its megacap peers since the Nasdaq 100 Index bottomed nearly three months ago,…
Peloton to Sell Gear, Apparel Via Amazon as CEO Retools Strategy
(Bloomberg) — Peloton Interactive Inc. said it will sell bikes and certain accessories on Amazon.com Inc. in the US, breaking with a longtime practice of exclusively selling products via its own website and retail stores. The move to open a storefront on Amazon’s sprawling online marketplace will help Peloton expand its distribution and make products…
Amazon’s One Medical Acquisition is Critical for Proving Subscription-Based Primary Care
Affordable and accessible healthcare is a problem that has plagued Americans for decades. For companies like Amazon, this dysfunction is a prime opportunity to further disrupt another legacy market. Amazon has announced plans to buy One Medical, a subscription-based healthcare company, for nearly $4 billion U.S. dollars. One Medical provides 24/7 on-demand virtual care coupled…
Amazon’s iRobot Deal Seen Facing Tough FTC Antitrust Review
(Bloomberg) — Amazon.com Inc. is barrelling ahead with an aggressive acquisition strategy despite intense antitrust scrutiny in Washington, with its $1.65 billion deal to buy Roomba vacuum maker iRobot Corp. as the latest example. Antitrust experts say the deal is expected to draw a tough review from the US Federal Trade Commission led by Chair…
Amazon Workers in Staten Island Warehouse Unionize. What is the Impact?
Key Insights: Unionization efforts across the country will continue, but won’t affect prices until a few years from now. Inflation is incredibly high right now, which will affect many industries. Amazon Prime is sitting comfortably at $150 per annum and this isn’t expected to change. Staten Island warehouse workers at e-commerce and tech giant…
How Retailers and Vendors Should Approach Discounts on Amazon
Amazon is encouraging its vendors to try out some new deals strategies for their Q4 product marketing, including short-term discounts and digital coupon clipping. Which of these strategies will have the biggest ROI for smaller retailers, and why? Jennifer Ruscin joined us to share her thoughts and explain why she isn’t a fan of…
Amazon-Backed Rivian in Talks for Texas Factory
Transcript: Kailey Leinz: Amazon backed Electric Vehicle Startup Rivian is in talks to invest at least five billion dollars to build a factory near Fort Worth, Texas. Bloomberg has learned the factory would be designed to produce 200,000 vehicles a year and would create at least 7,500 jobs. For more, we’re joined now by Bloomberg’s…
Amazon’s Q2 Online Sales Rise 16% to $53.1 Billion
On July 29, Amazon said it saw a 16% increase in online sales to $53.1 billion in 2021. Product sales and digital media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, videos, games, music and software all count as online sales. Subscription revenue for the company broke $7.9 billion, up 32%…
Can Amazon’s “Network of Networks” Find Permanent Footing in IoT?
“This is a bold move by Amazon to opt everyone in.” Amazon is launching Sidewalk, a new Bluetooth and radio frequency-enabled “network of networks” that essentially pulls disparate WiFi signals from compatible devices into a low-bandwidth smart network for IoT devices like smart lights, Ring cameras, and Tile devices. Its vision, it says, is to…
Can Amazon’s “Network of Networks” Find Permanent Footing in IoT?
“This is a bold move by Amazon to opt everyone in.” Amazon is launching Sidewalk, a new Bluetooth and radio frequency-enabled “network of networks” that essentially pulls disparate WiFi signals from compatible devices into a low-bandwidth smart network for IoT devices like smart lights, Ring cameras, and Tile devices. Its vision, it says, is to…
Exploring Jeff Bezos’ Final Days as Amazon CEO
Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos has officially stepped down as the active CEO of the retail giant. Tune in to hear Bloomberg’s Matt Day describe what Jeff Bezos’ last days as the CEO of Amazon were like as he handed the baton off to Andy Jassy. Host: So, gosh, Matt, I mean, where do we…
Amazon Prime Day Deals Expected to Disappoint as Costs Surge
(Bloomberg) — The deals during Amazon.com Inc.’s annual Prime Day sale will be stingier this year, according to merchants, thanks to rising shipping costs, higher advertising rates and scarce inventory. The two-day event, which begins today, arrives as the world grapples with the lingering effects of the pandemic. Supply-chain disruptions — including the Suez Canal…
What Does Amazon’s Acquisition of MGM Mean for the Media Production Ecosystem?
James Bond and Jeff Bezos are about to get to know each other a lot better. For nearly $8.5 billion, Amazon has acquired MGM and all of the company’s properties, including 007, himself. That means around 4,000 films and 17,000 hours of television programming will be added to Amazon’s already ballooning library of content. So,…
PICKUP CEO Brenda Stoner on Beating Amazon in the Last Mile
Last-mile delivery is now essential in the logics space. The greater adoption of eCommerce and the need to get in now will continue to fuel it. While last mile for smaller parcels is relatively commoditized, larger product delivery was an unfilled niche. Enter PICKUP, a last-mile, same-day delivery service for items over 50 pounds. Talking about…
Amazon Quietly Began Building a Grocery Chain During Pandemic
(Bloomberg) As many businesses struggled to survive the pandemic, Amazon.com Inc. was quietly building a national grocery chain.The first Amazon Fresh store opened to the public in Los Angeles in September. Store No. 11 opened Thursday, and Amazon is working on at least 28 more, from Philadelphia to the Sacramento suburbs. The company is also…
Amazon-Berkshire-JPMorgan Health Venture to Shut Next Month
(Bloomberg) — Amazon.com Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. plan to shut down Haven, a joint attempt to overhaul employee health care launched with great fanfare three years ago. The planned shutdown at the end of next month marks the close of an ambitious effort that brought together titans of technology and…
Amazon Launches Delivery Prescription Drug Service, Amazon Pharmacy
Amazon, once an online used bookstore, has grown to dominate the retail industry, the grocery industry, and now the pharmaceutical industry. Amazon’s latest business venture, Amazon Pharmacy, spells trouble for brick-and-mortar pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid and more. Launched in 45 states, the service offers special benefits for prime members, as well as discounts and…
Amazon Pumps the Brakes on Echelon’s “Prime Bike”
When Tuesday’s announcement by Echelon Fitness that their $500 exercise bike, dubbed the ‘Prime Bike,’ would be an Amazon Prime customer exclusive, Peloton’s stock fell as much as 6.7%. Was the at-home fitness market perhaps too early to react? In a bit of a twist, Amazon quickly denied association with the bike, and ordered any…
Amazon is Reportedly Stifling Competitor Ads
Amazon is no stranger to scrutiny over its business practices. The online marketplace already has a stronghold over fast delivery of consumer goods. But CNBC reported on a recent investigation by Wall Street Journal, revealing the ecommerce giant may be taking their power a step further. Amazon appears to be blocking competitor ads that compete…
Amazon Music Podcasting Goes Exclusive
Amazon Music is expanding its content portfolio by launching podcasts on the platform. Content will be available for both free and premium subscriptions. Podcast audio can also be listened to via Audible. The announcement has raised questions and concerns from podcast producers as well as listeners. “Amazon’s actions here clearly demonstrate they are looking to become…
AMC’s Potential Buyout by Amazon Rocks Stocks and the Movie Industry
Cinema chains and smaller exhibitors have been thrust into a financial bind with movie theaters around the world closed due to the COVID-19 crisis. In fact, the movie theater market value has been reported to be down from $751.9 million at the end of 2019, and from $1.44 billion a year ago. AMC Entertainment…
Unemployed Workforce Turns to Amazon, Gig Economy, and Grocers for Jobs: Business Casual
On this snippet from Business Casual, host Daniel Litwin paints a picture of the potentially massive spike in unemployment around the corner due to coronavirus. As more workers at small businesses or in service industries lose their jobs, large entities in our economy look to hire en masse: grocers, gig economy platforms, and ecommerce giants….
Walmart Restructures and Refocuses to Compete with Amazon: Business Casual
On Tuesday, March 3, Walmart will be launching their new fulfillment services, enabling third-party vendors to showcase their items on Walmart.com’s marketplace and use the company’s logistics to store, pack and ship their products. While sellers will pay a fee, Walmart’s new fulfillment services should drive profitability for these smaller third-party vendors while offloading…
Amazon Opens First Cashierless Store
Amazon Opens a Full-Size, Cashier-less Grocery Store. Known as Amazon Go Grocery, the flagship store opened on Tuesday in the Seattle neighborhood of Capitol Hill. The 10,500 square foot store utilizes the same technology as the smaller Amazon Go stores around the country. Customers scan a bar code on their smartphones at a turnstile when…
Element Sessions: How Spokane Hardware Supply is Serving Customers in an Amazon World
How does an independent retail store survive in the time of Amazon.com? “Be true to your roots and know your strengths,” said Andrew Northrop [contributor page], President of Spokane Hardware Supply. Host Scott Sidway sat down with the Washington-based hardware supply retailer, who has ventured into housing their own retail e-commerce as a way…
Inside Amazon’s Move Into the Grocery Store
Amazon recently announced its plans to open a conventional grocery store in California. Unlike its Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh ventures, this move is expected to provide a shopping experience that all Americans are generally accustomed to. However, this move may not be about food or even money at all for Amazon. To find…
Amazon’s Algorithm Causes Controversy
Like a product on a shelf at eye level in a store, placement on a webpage can make or break a business. On a platform the size of Amazon, where companies not only compete with hundreds of other vendors but also Amazon’s private label brands, this competition for top spots is intense. According to…
Amazon, Impossible Foods Lead Two Different Green Revolutions
In the world of B2B this week, both grocers and tech giants are going green. They are just doing it in different ways. Impossible Foods, producer of plant-based-meat meals is now available in 27 California-based Gensler’s Markets. Consumers in the rest of the country will have to wait for now, but the company does plan…
Why Amazon Went to India to Build It’s Biggest Office Ever
Amazon this week opened its largest global office, and it is far from its Seattle, Washington headquarters. The new 9.5 acre campus is situated in the business district of Hyderabad, India. The retail giant’s 1.8 million-square-foot space will host up to 15,000 employees. This number is approximately one-quarter of the organization’s total full-time India-based workforce….
Why Amazon is Coming to an Office Near You This Summer
The public has grown accustom to Amazon’s private label products over the last several years. The company’s Alexa line of smart devices and other Amazon-branded items have become ubiquitous across American homes. Now, businesses are getting in on the action as well. Amazon recently announced its first private label brand for businesses, under its…
The Shortlist 8/9: Behind the Disney Bundle and the Amazon-FedEx Break Up
The Magic Kingdom is keeping an eye on cord cutting. Disney announced a new bundled streaming service this week which includes ESPN-Plus and Hulu as it braces for the future of television. Disney’s bundle will sell for $12.99. Amazon has plenty of items available for $12.99 but they will be getting to your doorstep…
The Amazon and FedEx Breakup: MarketScale Mornings
On the August 8th episode of MarketScale Mornings, Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern discussed the breakup between Amazon and FedEx. The retail giant is ramping up its own shipping operations, minimizing their need for outside assistance. FedEx, meanwhile, downplayed the impact of the split on their overall operations, claiming their dealings with Amazon accounted for…
Business Casual: Google Takes on Amazon, Starbucks Tries Delivery, and the Telemedicine Argument (July 26, 2019)
On the premiere of Business Casual, hosts Tyler Kern and Daniel Litwin recap the week that was in the business-to-business world. Hear from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Eisenberg who joins the show to discuss whether Google can compete with Amazon in the retail space. Eisenberg explains why price is not the only…
Google Launches Redesigned Shopping Page, Should Amazon Be Worried?
Is Google trying to encroach on Amazon’s territory with their new shopping page? That was the question on Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern’s mind during Business Casual, MarketScale’s live radio show airing on Fridays at 9am ET/8am CT. Helping them sort through the details of the story was Bryan Eisenberg of Retail Legends. Hear why…
The Risks and Rewards of Amazon’s Employee Retraining Program
On what seems like monthly basis, Amazon.com Inc. seems to be investing in a new industry, company or product. Its most recent investment, however, may prove to be its best one yet, even if it does not result in a monumental profit. The company announced this month that it will retrain more than 100,000…
Inside the Growth of Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day officially outgrew its name in 2018 when the site-wide discount initiative extended to 36 hours. The retailer pushed the boundary even further this year with a 48-hour offering to its Prime members. Deals on everything from electronics to kitchenware and everything in between are offered exclusively for Amazon Prime members, who pay…
Is Amazon’s Future in Third-Party Sellers?
In the retail space, there is no bigger 800-pound gorilla than Amazon. So naturally, analyzing their direction in an e-commerce world is telling of where the rest of the industry might adapt. Today on the Retail Podcast, host Shelby Skrhak sat down with Amazon insider and vice president of IdeoClick Andrea Leigh to discuss…
How to Prepare Now for the Potential Amazon Supplier Purge
News and industry discussions are swirling around the rumor that Amazon is shaking things up with smaller suppliers and planning to cut all 1P (Vendor Central) manufacturers under $10M in annual sales. If you’re selling products on Amazon and read the Bloomberg article, you might be concerned. However, with the right preparation and information, you’ll…
The Intersection with Bluewater: Next Level Retail After the “Amazon Effect”
On today’s episode of The Intersection, we discussed the “Amazon effect,” how it’s impacting the rest of the retail world, why some are scared, and why most should be excited, with guest Eric Thompson, Senior Sales Executive at Bluewater. In a world of emerging technology, retailers now have options. “There is renewed optimism for…
Is it Just a Matter of Time Before Amazon Rules the World?
What is the future of the retail industry? Two things we can say with confidence is that Amazon figures to be around for a while and pro AV will continue to play a big role in the industry. This week’s episode takes a look at these two items with guests Bryan Eisenberg from Buyer…
Amazon Reveals New Long-Term Energy Plan for Shipping
By 2030, the online retail giant says it wants to cut carbon emissions in half. Amazon is calling this new initiative, “Shipment Zero.” In the long run, Amazon adds that it wants to run 100% on renewable energy. In a blog post, Amazon said it would reveal more details later in the year. The plan…
What Amazon HQ2 Neighbors, Including Schoolteachers, Should be Excited For
With 20 cities competing for Amazon’s second headquarters, experts have to wonder what benefits, if any, will accrue to the two cities—Long Island City, New York and Crystal City, Virginia—which won. Given that billions of dollars of tax incentives helped each city win, you would think that there would be nothing but benefits, but as…
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Fiberguide on Amazon!
Want your products quick, safely secured, and at a press of a button? Watch and find out why you should visit Fiberguide Industries on Amazon! Take a look at our extensive inventory of standard products which you can order and have delivered with confidence!
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Fiberguide on Amazon!
Want your products quick, safely secured, and at a press of a button? Watch and find out why you should visit Fiberguide Industries on Amazon! Take a look at our extensive inventory of standard products which you can order and have delivered with confidence!
Amazon Selects New York City and Northern Virginia for HQ2
Amazon Selects New York City and Northern Virginia for HQ2. The company confirmed plans to split the new headquarters. Amazon said each neighborhood will receive $2.5 billion in economic investment and see 25,000 new jobs. The e-commerce giant selected the Long Island City neighborhood in Queens and the National Landing neighborhood of Arlington. “These two…
An Inside Look at the Tech Revolutionizing Amazon’s New Stores
E-commerce giant Amazon has been at the center of revolutionary changes in the retail industry since its inception. From the acquisition of Whole Foods providing Amazon Prime customers with a multitude of benefits including same-day grocery delivery, to the expansion of brick and mortar storefronts, Amazon has been hard at work changing the landscape of…
Is Amazon Proving to be the Wake Up Call Grocers Needed? Here are the Results So Far
It has been just over a year since Amazon acquired Whole Foods for $13.7 billion. The changes were almost immediate, both inside the store, and in the grocery industry. The look of the retail locations began to change right away, with new products available in-store, including items like Amazon devices, and with signage for Amazon…
Listen: Innovation in a Post-Amazon World with Paula Rosenblum of Retail Systems Research
As Amazon pushes into profitability after dramatically altering the shipping and retail worlds, many are wondering about the future of other retailers and the technology they use. Paula Rosenblum, Managing Partner at Retail Systems Research, joined us to help make sense of the current marketplace, and talk about putting technology in a business context,…
Amazon Prime Day Has Issues, But Still Puts Pressure on Retailers
Amazon Prime Day is a day of celebration for shoppers. It was created to be a summer Black Friday, where at least one million items’ prices are slashed, with the site promising better deals than these sales in November. The Hype and the Let-Down As with anything Amazon does, there was a lot of hype…
Shipping Services Gear Up For Amazon Prime Day
It is a hot day at an ordinary local UPS store on North Miami Beach’s Collins Avenue, but it is about to get even hotter. Amazon Prime day, the global online superstore’s mega sale, is expected to be bigger than ever this year. With over a million deals going live for 36 hours on July…
Why a Potential Amazon Snapchat Partnership Could Change Social Media and Retail Forever
Retailers love social media. They spend a lot of time posting content, engaging with fans, and selling. After all, social media platforms allow users to shop with a click; it could not possibly be any easier. But does that engagement and interaction lead to sales? Does Social Media Drive Sales? Social media has definitely impacted…
Amazon Calls On Startups, Small Businesses to Help With Shipping Burden
Amazon Inc. is looking to help new entrepreneurs in the shipping industry in its latest efforts to curb the overwhelming number of products going through its warehouses every day. A report released by Sanford F. Bernstein estimated an incredible 1.6 million packages are being shipped through Amazon daily. Rather than continuing to rely on traditional…
Amazon’s Drone Delivery Plan Brings Up New Logistical Issues
If there is one thing Amazon wants more than anything, it is to get delivery drones into the air. The main problem with drones involves the issue of safety. The last thing anyone wants is for delivery drones to drop out of the sky, crash into buildings, or get hijacked. Hijacked? Yes, part of the…
Listen: Amazon is Bringing A Clothing Shopping Experience to Your Home
One of the major drawbacks to shopping for clothes online is the uncertainty of whether or not what you buy will fit once it arrives at your home. Amazon Prime Wardrobe is an attempt at lowering that stress for Prime Members. Amazon has created a service that allows members to pack a box with…
Listen: Amazon, Marriott Partner to Bring Alexa Services to Hotel Guests
You don’t have to live in a mansion to enjoy the services of your own personal butler. Now all you have to do is simply stay at a Marriott. Amazon.com has announced a new partnership with Marriott International to increase guest access to the Alexa ecosystem through the voice-controlled Echo. This vocal interface will…
Amazon’s Impact on Whole Foods is Becoming Evident
Austin-based Whole Foods has recently rolled out Amazon Prime savings in their western, mid-western, and southern locations, as well as in all of their Whole Foods Market 365 stores. This move offers Amazon Prime members an extra 10% off at checkout via the Whole Foods app, their Amazon sign in, or the shopper’s mobile number….
Watch: Amazon to Expand ‘Amazon Go’ Stores to Chicago, San Francisco
The company confirmed it is opening up two more of its cashier-free grocery stores in the cities. At the moment, the only other Amazon Go store opened in Seattle in January. The store, which has human employees to restock shelves, check IDs and more, using an array of sensors and cameras to track customers and…
Listen: Amazon Partners with Home Builder Lennar to Create Smart Home
All of the time needed to set up your own smart home just might be saved if a recent collaboration between Amazon and home-builder Lennar catches on. The two companies recently unveiled the Amazon Experience Center in the North Bay Lennar housing development in Vallejo, California, as well as seven other locations around the…
Listen: Amazon Partners with Home Builder Lennar to Create Smart Home
All of the time needed to set up your own smart home just might be saved if a recent collaboration between Amazon and home-builder Lennar catches on. The two companies recently unveiled the Amazon Experience Center in the North Bay Lennar housing development in Vallejo, California, as well as seven other locations around the…
Watch: Amazon Is Crushing the Pet Food Industry
“Pet products are among the fastest-growing online retail categories and Amazon is leading the way,” said David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts. Amazon is at the head of the pack of websites for pet product purchases earning 55 percent of those who purchased pet products online. Chewy, PetSmart, Petco, Walmart and Sam’s Club are…
Listen: NASA and Amazon Turn to France to Help Standardize Drones
NASA and Amazon are turning to French engineers to help integrate drones into companies’ daily operations. France was one of the first countries to regulate commercial drone use, meaning more years advancing machine-learning and artificial intelligence for drones. Several obstacles are still in the way, including funding, global regulations, and air-traffic safety.
Watch: Amazon Reportedly To Offer Discounts to Retailers That Adopt ‘Amazon Pay’
Amazon.com is offering to pass along the discounts it gets on credit-card fees to other retailers if they use its online payments service, according to reports. The move may actually hurt the company’s profits, but will spread use of its payment system which is the goal. Online retailers using Amazon’s service have paid about 2.9…
Watch: Amazon to Add 2,000 Jobs in Boston
Amazon announced this week that it will be adding 2,000 jobs to it’s Boston tech hub. The city has been in the news lately as a candidate for the company’s second headquarters but regardless of that decision, Amazon is continuing to invest in Massachussetts’ capital substantially with this move.
Watch: Amazon Prime Membership Rises to $119
Amazon Prime Membership Rises to $119 The e-commerce giant made the announcement Thursday and said the annual price will go into effect on May 11. The price increase will apply to renewals on June 16. Amazon Prime has been expensive for the company to fund, especially with the number of products with free two-day shipping…
Watch: Amazon to Start Delivering Products Directly to Cars
Amazon Key-In Car was revealed Tuesday and is available immediately in 37 cities across the country. It will also be free for Amazon Prime members. With Amazon Key-In Car, customers who have a Volvo or General Motors vehicle will be able to use the service via the Amazon Key App. Customers will need to add…
Watch: Boston and Washington D.C. Leading Way for Amazon HQ2
Washington D.C. and Boston, Mass. could be leading the race for the coveted Amazon HQ2. The cities have experienced accelerated ‘help-wanted’ ads relating to the new Amazon campus in recent weeks, according to the Conference Board Amazon already has a large set of employees in both cities, making it easier to consolidate a labor force…
Maryland makes $8.5 Billion Bid For Amazon HQ2
Among the 20 finalists for Amazon’s second headquarters, Rockville, Md. is in the lead in at least one category: the incentives package. Titled the PRIME Act, the Maryland legislature has approved a plan that provides “a Fortune 100 company” with a set of tax incentives based on the number of jobs created. The Baltimore Sun…
Watch: Amazon Launches New Feature for International Shipping From United States
Amazon is increasing it’s international footprint by launching a new shipping campaign that will allow consumers around the world to purchase goods in 25 different currencies. The international inventory includes 45 million items and the company says it will handle customs expenses if necessary. Amazon will offer the service in English, Spanish, German, Chinese and…
Should Hotels Be Worried About Amazon Disrupting The Industry
Many hospitality industry experts chimed on the subject, with opinions ranging from complete dismissal to panicked predictions about doom and gloom for the very harmonious online travel marketplace. This is not the first time it was predicted that Amazon would try to tackle the online travel space. Back in 2013-2015, Amazon attempted twice to enter…
Amazon Go Creates a New Shopping Experience
“Is it really okay if I just leave?” People are still getting used to Amazon Go, Amazon’s bricks-and-mortar store where you do not have to check out to leave with your items. According to Observer, “To shop there, customers scan their phones at the entrance of the store; the Amazon Go app tracks what they…
Amazon’s Health Tech Team Is Proof Of Their Recruiting
Details about Amazon’s ambitions in healthcare are still sparse at this point, but the online retail giant appears to be building an all-star team to lead the new venture. Earlier this year Amazon announced a partnership with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to create a new venture aimed at lowering healthcare costs and improving quality…
Watch: Report Shows Amazon’s Originals Raked in 5 Million Subscribers
Reuters released its findings According to report, Prime, which offers subscribers many services including video streaming, had 26 million viewers in its U.S. audience early 2017. But, as of August 2017, Netflix had almost double in paid U.S. subscribers at 48 million. Hulu was last place with only 17 million paid U.S. subscribers for its…
Watch: Amazon may finally be developing its Brazilian market
Though Amazon has yet to confirm the reports, the retail giant is expected to sell directly to Brazilian markets soon. In the past few years, hundreds of meetings with Brazilian vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers have raised eyebrows. Last year, Amazon Brazil allowed 3rd-party sellers to list their items on Amazon. 2016 saw the opening of…
Amazon Prime Discounts For Medicaid Members
Just nine months after Amazon began offering Prime discounts to people with electronic benefit transfer cards, they made another announcement to induce lower income shoppers to spend money on their site. Starting on Wednesday, Amazon is offering Prime membership to Medicaid recipients at $5.99 per month, a discount which is $27 cheaper than the annual…
Watch: Amazon to Hit $1 Trillion Market Cap in 2018
Analysts are raising the price target for the web and retail juggernaut, Amazon. With analysts from GBH Insights raising the target from $1,500 to $1,850, Amazon could see a $1 trillion market cap in the next year. The forecast is based on Amazon’s momentum, a “flywheel” effect that is still gaining steam. A combination of…
Listen: Experts Put DC As The Favorite To Get Amazon HQ2
According to a recent study Washington D.C. looks to be the top candidate for Amazon HQ2. Hamilton Place Strategies analyzed the transportation, education, business and connectivity of the top 20 on Amazon’s list for their next headquarters and found that Washington DC stood out as the best option for what online retail giant is…
Listen: Amazon & Target Are In A War Over Apparel
A surprising fact in the world of retail is that Target and Amazon are reportedly in a back to back battle according to a recent study from Coresight Research. After surveying over 1500 participants, they found that shoppers who originally purchased clothing items or footwear on Amazon had most likely previously purchased those same…
Watch: Amazon Will Soon Have its Own Delivery Service to Compete with UPS and FedEx
According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon is close to launching its “Shipping with Amazon” service. The service will first start in Los Angeles and will initially serve the third-party merchants that use Amazon to sell their wares. Shipping with Amazon (SWA) will offer lower pricing than UPS or FedEx in order to be competitive….
WALBRO PLAYS A STARRING ROLE IN AMAZON PRIME VIDEO SERIES
In October 2017, the new television series “It’s How You Get There,” featured Walbro in its fifth episode titled “Road Trip.” The series, which first aired on the History Channel, is now available for streaming On Demand through Amazon Prime Video. The show features two travelers, Greg White and Julian Taylor, covering over 500 miles…
How Retail Can Keep Up with Amazon in 2018
Alexa, go to the store and pick up a gallon of milk. If you own an Alexa, you know that’s not quite how it works. But Alexa can order and have milk delivered to you, thanks to a digital revolution in retail known as Amazon. And other retail companies are struggling to keep up. Top…
Watch: Amazon And Its Partners Challenge Driving Down Health-Care Costs
Amazon has announced its plan to form a non-profit health-care company for its US employees. But does the company understand the true, fundamental problem in health care: improving communications among health-care providers, consumers, and the companies that pay for their care. That will require a deep understanding of how to stratify and segment members into…
Listen: Indianapolis Is Using The Amazon HQ2 To Revitalize Downtown
The recent competition for the location of Amazon’s HQ2 has really generated a lot of buzz nationwide as many cities look to submit their best qualities as to why they should be considered. Of course, places like Denver, Chicago, New York City, Dallas, and even Austin have proved themselves to be top contenders but…
Watch: Amazon Go Plans To Transform The Way You Shop
Amazon Go opened its doors to the public last week with no cashiers or registers. items are automatically added to the shoppers’ virtual baskets using technology and hundreds of overhead cameras. But how will this next step in retail technology affect the traditional store? Brent Franson, CEO of Euclid notes the Amazon Go model will…
Amazon Hires Candace Thille for Workplace Learning
Candace Thille, a pioneer in learning science, has been hired to work with Amazon’s Global Learning Development Team. An Amazon spokesperson says her title is “Director of Learning Science and Engineering” and it’s speculated that she was hired to bring innovation to Amazon’s learning workplace. In that capacity, Thille will work with their Global Learning…
Amazon Opens Spheres, a Combination of City and Ecology
Amazon has finally opened their “Spheres” installations in the heart of their Seattle headquarters. Each glass installation emulates the climate conditions of Costa Rica’s Central Valley and boasts tens of thousands of plants and trees within, all for the enjoyment of Amazon employees. Designed by Naramore, Bain, Brady, and Johanson (NBBJ), the projects aim to…
Watch: Which Major Cities Have The Power To Host Amazon’s HQ2?
20 cities advance to the final round of the Amazon HQ2 pageant, Amazon’s operations are electricity-intensive and require reliable secure, affordable, and high-quality power. Both grid modernity and renewable energy should be important considerations for the company in looking at these 20 finalists. Amazon’s boldest choices are in states with very aggressive clean energy and…
Watch: Amazon looking to expand its deliveries for new quick delivery products
Retail giant Amazon is looking to make rapid deliveries for groceries and cleaning supplies direct from merchants. By delivering direct from merchants, Amazon avoids additional strain on its warehouses. Amazon is courting sellers with lower delivery costs, powerful logistics software, and warehouse inspections. The new service is threatening to cut into UPS and FedEx business,…
Amazon’s Education Hub, Inspire, Keeps ‘Sharing’ A Secret
Amazon has quietly re-opened a previously-controversial sharing feature of a platform called Amazon Inspire, that allows anyone to add to its directory of online educational materials. Just after Amazon Inspire first launched in 2016, some teachers complained that other users had uploaded their materials without permission. opened the site without a system in place to…
Amazon Challenges Youtube
Amazon has been in a feud with Google after Youtube started to selectively block users that were on Amazon hardware. In response, Amazon has recently filed a patent for a website that would be nearly identical to Youtube called AmazonTube. It is unclear if this is a threat to speed up resolving this issue with…
Amazon’s Alexa Service Is Coming to Business
Love your Amazon Alexa? What if you could bring Alexa to work with you? At the Amazon Web Services Re:Invent Partner and User Conference in Las Vegas, Amazon has revealed their newest product, in addition to their series of revolutionary home products- The Alexa for Business service. With the home units surging to popularity in…
The Next Big Thing in Online Shopping Is Coming from Amazon
User-generated reviews are crucial when it comes to consumers choosing the products to buy online. Perhaps no platform understands this better than Amazon—which is why they’re innovating in this important space. Business research firm L2 recently reported Amazon will soon offer reviewers the option of expressing themselves in video form. Right now, two million Amazon…
WATCH: Amazon Hits the Biggest Day of Shopping in Its History
Cyber Monday 2017 broke record sales for Amazon. App orders increased 50% worldwide. The Echo Dot was the best-selling item. Whole Foods Market also broke records with its low prices on turkeys. Ancestry DNA was also a hot seller with 700% more kits sold in just one day than the entire year.
Amazon To Bring Pop-Up Shops To Whole Foods Stores For The Holidays
As Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods proceeds, the popular healthy grocery chain is about to experience an increase in comfortability. Amazon is about to launch a select few branded pop-up shops at several Whole Food locations for the holidays in states like Illinois, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, and California. These pop up shops will allow…
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