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Amazon's retail CEO tells employees more cost cuts are needed to afford 'big investments in big new businesses'

Feb 19, 2025 - businessinsider.com
Amazon's retail CEO Doug Herrington emphasized the importance of cost-cutting to fund new growth opportunities during an internal meeting. The company is focusing on reducing delivery inefficiencies and improving the cost-to-serve metric, which measures the cost of fulfilling and moving shipments through the supply chain. Despite significant layoffs and the closure of less profitable services, these efforts have resulted in record profits and cash balances. Amazon is also investing heavily in AI data centers, warehouses, and fast shipping services, with plans to spend a record $105 billion in capital expenditures by 2025.

Herrington and retail CFO Gail Carpenter highlighted the need for a balanced approach between cost reductions and new investments to drive efficiency and improve customer experiences. Amazon is expanding its product selection and enhancing shopper convenience through personalized AI services. The company has improved the average cost-to-serve on a per-unit basis for two consecutive years and aims to continue this momentum into 2025. Carpenter encouraged employees to contribute cost-saving ideas, emphasizing that every penny matters in achieving these goals.

Key takeaways:

  • Amazon is focusing on cutting costs to invest in new growth opportunities, particularly by addressing delivery inefficiencies and improving the cost of shipping each package.
  • The company is making significant investments in AI data centers, warehouses, and fast shipping to drive future growth.
  • Amazon's cost-cutting efforts have resulted in record profits and cash balances, with a focus on balancing cost reductions and new investments to drive efficiency.
  • Amazon is enhancing shopper convenience through personalized AI services and expanding its product selection, while emphasizing the importance of cost-saving ideas from employees.
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