Amazon Layoffs: Hundreds of Employees Cut Across the US, UK, and India

US-based e-commerce giant Amazon has launched a new round of layoffs across its retail and digital commerce operations. The company has laid off fewer than 1,000 white-collar employees across various departments, primarily within its Stores division, which manages its main e-commerce platform. The decision, affecting employees in the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, was announced as Amazon continues to restructure its operations and increase its investments in artificial intelligence.

Layoffs Affect E-Commerce and Marketplace Teams

The workforce reductions cover Amazon's customer service, marketplace support, seller services, and retail engineering teams. Internal communications reviewed by Business Insider and Reuters revealed that employees across different departments were affected by the decision. An Amazon spokesperson stated that the company's organizational structure was being adjusted to better serve its priorities. The spokesperson noted that eliminating a small number of positions was a difficult decision and that affected employees would receive support during the transition process.

Workforce Reductions Coincide with E-Commerce Shopping Events

The latest decision coincided with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days shopping event, held on October 6 to 7. Employees were notified through emails sent on October 6. Messages regarding the decision were also shared on the company's internal Slack channels. Employees in India also received layoff notifications during the Great Indian Festival, one of the country's major e-commerce shopping events.

Approximately 30,000 Positions Eliminated Over the Past Year

Amazon's latest decision is part of a broader restructuring program that began in 2025. The company eliminated approximately 30,000 corporate positions between last year and January 2026. The workforce reduction of 16,000 employees announced on January 28 also marked a significant phase of this process. Company management aims to reduce organizational layers, accelerate decision-making processes, and lower costs.

Amazon Plans to Invest $220 Billion in Artificial Intelligence

As layoffs continue across its retail operations, Amazon is expanding its investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company has a spending plan of $220 billion for data centers, chips, and related technological infrastructure. These investments, carried out alongside efforts to control costs in e-commerce operations, form part of the company's strategy to strengthen its technological infrastructure.

Jeff Bezos Points to Pandemic-Era Hiring

Amazon founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos addressed the reasons behind the layoffs in a television interview aired on October 7. Bezos stated that online orders surged during the pandemic and that the company hired extensively to meet the increased demand. Bezos linked the ongoing workforce reductions to excessive hiring during the pandemic. Addressing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, Bezos also expressed disagreement with pessimistic predictions about the technology's future consequences.