Amazon cuts 16,000 corporate jobs and closes many physical stores

Amazon is cutting about 16,000 corporate jobs worldwide. This is the company's largest round of layoffs since 2023 and is part of a broader effort to increase efficiency and focus on areas like artificial intelligence.

The layoffs were accidentally announced to some employees via an internal email before the official announcement. At the same time, Amazon is closing most of its Amazon Go convenience stores and Amazon Fresh supermarkets in the United States in the coming days.

The moves represent a significant shift for the company as it adjusts its strategy after a period of rapid expansion during the pandemic. The job cuts and store closures are aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs.