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Amazon will start reopening French warehouses on May 19th (updated)
Amazon is poised to reopen French warehouses on May 19th as it reaches a deal on COVID-19 safeguards for its workers.
Amazon won't commit to Jeff Bezos testimony over misuse of seller data
Amazon has hinted that it might not send Jeff Bezos to testify before Congress despite politicians' requests.
Amazon VP quits over company firing COVID-19 whistleblowers
Amazon exec Tim Bray has left the company after it fired workers who criticized its labor practices.
US lawmakers ask Jeff Bezos to testify about Amazon's alleged data abuse
Following a recent Wall Street Journal report on Amazon's use of third-party seller data, the House Judiciary Committee has called on Jeff Bezos to testify before Congress. In a letter signed by a bipartisan group made up of four Democrats and three Republicans, the committee says it believes Amazon may have committed a crime by misleading the government about its practices. The Wall Street Journal report the letter references was published earlier this month.
Amazon asks workers to request leave if they continue staying at home
Amazon warehouse workers will have to request a leave of absence if they want to stay at home after May 1st.
Amazon allegedly used sellers' data to make competing products
Amazon has been accused of using third-party sellers' proprietary data to build rival products.
Amazon is using thermal cameras to screen warehouse workers for COVID-19
Amazon is using thermal cameras to check warehouse workers for COVID-19 more quickly and safely than usual temperature checks.
Amazon extends return window amid coronavirus pandemic
If you recently bought a product from Amazon, you'll now have more time to return it to account disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Instacart hopes to expedite deliveries with 'first available shopper' option
Instacart is adapting to the pandemic with a flexible delivery option focused on speed over fixed schedules.
Amazon offers warehouse workers higher pay to handle Prime Now groceries
Amazon's focus on essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic has led it to offer special incentives to workers. Reuters has learned that Amazon is offering warehouse workers a $2 raise to $19 per hour if they're willing to pick and pack Whole Foods groceries for Prime Now. The company has already outlined plans to hire 100,000 workers to keep up with demand, but that clearly isn't enough in the very near term.
Amazon temporarily raises overtime pay for warehouse workers
Amazon is still determined to meet demand spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's willing to offer warehouse workers incentives to keep shipments going. In a statement to Reuters, the internet giant said it was raising overtime pay for US warehouse workers until May 9th. Staffers will get "double" their usual hourly rate for every hour past their standard shift. They previously received 50 percent more pay during overtime hours.
Amazon prioritizes cleaning, medical supply shipments to warehouses
Amazon has had a hard time keeping up with the demand for medical and cleaning supplies -- such as masks and hand sanitizer -- due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company is hoping to increase its supply of such goods by restricting which items its third-party vendors can send to its warehouses. Independent merchants will be unable to ship items other than medical supplies and household staples to Amazon's warehouses and fulfillment centers until April 5th. The company hopes that this strategy will help to "more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers," according to a statement sent to vendors.
Bipartisan bill would make e-commerce platforms liable for counterfeit goods
Amazon and other e-commerce platforms have a huge fake-goods problem, but courts previously decided that they weren't liable for counterfeit products third-parties sold on their websites. A group of bipartisan lawmakers wants to change that. The group has introduced a bill called the Shop Safe Act of 2020, which would create trademark liability for companies selling counterfeits from China and other countries that pose a risk to consumer health and safety -- counterfeit goods like drugs, medical equipment, baby formula, chargers, car seats and airbags.
Etsy's new ad policy could force more fees on merchants
Etsy is once again in hot water for its latest attempt to boost sales. This week, the company introduced a new "risk-free" offsite advertising service in which it plans to enroll some of its sellers automatically. Under the new system, Esty says it will use its "budget" and "expertise" to help merchants advertise their products on websites like Google, Instagram and Pinterest. If one of those ads leads to a sale within 30 days, the company will charge the seller an advertising fee.
Google searches are showing rival business directories in Europe
Google seems to be taking extra steps to please EU regulators worried that it's abusing its search dominance. Search Engine Land has discovered that Google is highlighting rival directory services like Yelp when you search for businesses in European countries like France and Spain, placing prominent "find results on" cards above Google's own. Clearly, it's hoping this will fend off potential EU criticism that it's favoring its own results in local searches over those of competitors.
Bose is closing down all of its US and European stores
Popular audio brand Bose has announced it is closing a significant number of its stores. The Verge reports that the company made the decision due to the popularity of online shopping and reduced consumer interest in brick-and-mortar stores.
Google can point you toward the popular clothes in many stores
Online clothes shopping is still something of a pain. You might not always realize what choices you have, let alone which places have the best prices. Google is trying to help, at least. It's introducing a search feature on mobile that piles results for popular clothes, accessories and shoes into one section. You could find the ideal floral dress or puffer jacket with just a few keywords. You can filter results by department, size and style, and other tools help you quickly find buyer reviews and flip through photos.
Cadillac will help you shop for cars in a live virtual showroom
Cadillac is moving some of the car shopping process online... if not necessarily the parts you'd want the most. The automaker has launched a Cadillac Live service that lets you check out car features and ask questions through a live video connection to a showroom with iPhone-toting specialists. Effectively, you can conduct the usual dealership tour without having to travel halfway across town. Representatives can also share options like accessories, colors and wheels through a digital interface -- just in case that Escalade on display isn't baller enough.
Nearly 40 percent of online Black Friday purchases were made with phones
Did you get your Black Friday shopping done while you were waiting in line for coffee? You definitely weren't the only one. Adobe shopping data indicates that 39 percent of online Black Friday purchases were made with smartphones. That's a big jump from last year, when just over 33 percent turned to the devices in their pockets. People were willing to splurge, too. Shoppers spent about $2.9 billion using their phones versus 'just' $2.1 billion a year earlier.
Disney cashes in on baby Yoda with crude online merch
It's not surprising that Disney went without merch for The Child (aka baby Yoda) when The Mandalorian premiered, since it would have spoiled one of the streaming show's most adorable surprises. However, the first offerings are... rushed, to put it mildly. The media megacorp has listed its first products themed around the sweet green toddler, and they look like they were produced at a make-your-own-shirt website -- you might have whipped up some yourself with a few minutes in Photoshop.
