Amazon may delay its Amazon Prime Day shopping event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The virus’ spread has caused widespread disruption all over the world as it is. Organisations have had to cancel sporting events, movie studios have had to delay film releases, even schools are shut in many places.
An Unavoidable Delay
We are now hearing reports that Amazon is going to move Prime Day into August at the earliest. Usually, the e-commerce giant hosts the sale in July. They also move massive volumes of products during the sale’s 48-hour period.
In 2019, Amazon claimed that they sold a whopping 175 million items throughout Prime Day. Compared to the 100 million items they sold in 2018, that is a massive increase. Those 2019 numbers are astonishing because that’s more sales than both Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.
However, due to the rapid spread of this virus, they may not be able to organise it when they usually do. They will still be keen to ensure that it does take place this, year, though. According to Reuters, Prime Day generated $2 billion in sales in 2019. This year, the number is likely to be lower.
Possible Losses
Amazon’s General Counsel Reportedly spoke about the impact the coronavirus would have on this year’s sale. His notes from a daily meeting estimate an impact $300 million at worst, but they also mention that a $100 million hit is more likely.
This impact may be because they’ll have to sell many of their products at even deeper discounts to sell their stock.
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Change In Functioning Amazon
Amazon themselves have had to change their approach in these times. They have already delayed the delivery of non-essential items. This is because many people are choosing to purchase essential items online.
Instead of going to crowded supermarkets to buy toiler paper, medicine, etc. they’re gravitating towards online shopping. As such, Amazon’s supply chains may not be back to normal by the time Prime Day comes around.
They have also had to shut down many of their warehouses across the US, due to the workers testing positive for coronavirus. Amazon will want to be very careful. They’ll want to ensure that everything’s sorted out properly before the throw the doors open for this sale.
