Even Amazon sales are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that they have to hold a special "summer sale" to reach target figures, CNet reported.
Not a usual scenario among avid Amazon fans and customers, but the online selling platform is hosting a summer sale event this month to keep up with the lost sales brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On June 22, there will be a sale, while postponing Prime Day with no definite date yet of return. No official statement from Amazon has been made as of press time.
To jump start sales
The report noted that Amazon told their partner brands on Tuesday that they will launch a "fashion summer sale event" on the said date in order to uplift consumers and "jump-start sales." Participation will be by invite only.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt many businesses worldwide, with administrators having no choice but to shut down to avoid the spread of the virus temporarily. It follows that sales targets also are not met.
At least 30% discounts are in, and Amazon is urging participating brands to submit their items as soon as they can. The sales event will span seven up to 10 days, the reports added.
Prime Day postponed
Various news outfits have also reported that the much-anticipated Amazon Prime Day event will be delayed up to September to give the platform more time to manage and organize their warehouses, out of irregularities brought by the coronavirus.
It will be a sale event, but not without challenges. Many brands, for instance, fashion labels, are reportedly still organizing the merchandise left over from spring since stores have also been closed.
Competition is also tough since department stores and fashion outlets are also expected to launch sales and re-open in their venture to keep up with their targets. More irregularities are in place since many stores have already recorded a high drop of almost 90% in sales between February to April, the months of the virus.
To further cope, Amazon is launching stimuli such as lifting restrictions on non-essential products, restored coupons, and discounts, but at the end of the day, they can see more issues on products out of stock.
The company expects to spend more, perhaps millions to billions, on getting back in shape, and returning back to normal.
More Amazon news
Still, in line with the coronavirus, Amazon is offering backup day care to its employees in the U.S., CNBC reported Tuesday, June 2.
Until October 2, all of the company's more than 600,000 part- and full-time employees, including associates with Whole Foods, may avail of the 10-day subsidized emergency backup child, otherwise known as adult care. Working parents are seen as the top beneficiaries.
Care.com is partnered with Amazon to provide this subsidy so that employees may gain access through online or via an app. The online selling website will cover about 90% of the cost, as employees provide $25 per day for in-center childcare or about $5 per hour for in-home child care.
