Author: Jimmy Aki

Amazon is one of the few companies that has witnessed a surge in its products as the coronavirus pandemic ravages on. However, the firm’s method of dealing with its warehouse workers continues to raise some significant questions – both from its employees and the public. Changing the Rules for the Warehouses The latest report that sheds the spotlight on the Seattle-based firm’s operational conduct is from The Guardian. The report explains that Amazon had restricted warehouse workers in California from getting paid sick leave. As the report explained, several warehouse workers in the Inland Empire region – just outside of…

Tim Bray, a senior software engineer at Amazon, has resigned from his position at the company in protest of how the firm has handled dissenting workers.  Before this week, Bray worked as the Vice President of Amazon Web Services. In a scathing blog post, he explained that he had been appalled at Amazon’s decision to fire several workers who had protested the company’s treatment of warehouse staff.  A Long list of Firings  Bray explained that Amazon’s firing of warehouse workers was indicative of the firm’s values, and he couldn’t continue to stand by and be a part of such injustice. “Remaining…

The coronavirus pandemic has hit several businesses and industries hard, even as others appear to thrive. The retail space has been one of the former, as lockdowns and more continue to restrict people from shopping as much as they would like. As for the businesses, however, mounting costs have put a severe strain on their operations. The dominoes have started to fall, as retail giant J Crew recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Bleak Outlooks as COVID-19 Runs Riot Earlier this week, the New York retail company confirmed that it had filed for prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in federal bankruptcy…

Real estate investment trust Kimco Realty is gearing up for the United States’ reopening, as the firm announces the launch of curbside pickup spaces. Earlier this week, the Jericho, New York-based real estate firm announced that it would be rolling out designated curbside pickup spaces at parking lots in up to 23 locations across Texas state. Optimizing in the Face of the Coronavirus Kimco is currently one of the largest publicly-traded operators of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers, and mixed-use assets in North America. The firm has over 400 shopping centers and locations, and according to its official announcement, it would…

American retail giant Bed, Bath & Beyond (BBBY) has seen a significant spike in its stock price, after the firm reported a jump in online sales. The company had announced on Friday that it saw an 85 percent jump in its digital sales for April to date. As expected, Wall Street reacted in the company’s favor, and it saw a 32 percent surge in its stock price when the market opened on Monday. Big Gains as BBBY Works on the Back of Digital Sales While the company’s stock had sold for a high of $5.25 on Friday, it surged to…

While e-commerce and retail companies are set to announce big jumps in sales in the coming days, disgruntled workers are planning to down their tools A coalition of employees from some of the top retail firms – including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, and Instacart – will walk out of work on May 1, in protest of what they believe to be unfair business practices, The Intercept reports. More Work for Less Reward The news source also explains that Amazon has been at the center of the strike action. Workers are reportedly disappointed at the company’s conduct so far, as…

Facebook is splurging on an objective to capitalize on India’s resurgent Internet space. Per reports, the Silicon Valley giant has purchased a 10 percent stake in Jio Platforms, the digital technology arm of local business conglomerate Reliance Systems. A Partnership of Two Behemoths Reliance is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the country’s richest man and one of its foremost industrialists. Jio has become one of the firm’s most profitable subsidiaries, and its mobile network, Reliance Jio, is one of the country’s top communications service providers with almost 400 customers. The service was established less than five years ago, starting a price war…

American retail and e-commerce giant Walmart has announced an extension of the shopping periods for senior citizens through May 2020. The Arkansas-based firm would continue with the time structure, which initially began in April, the Denver Channel reports. Extended Shopping for High-Risk Seniors This means that retail stores and pharmacies owned by the firm will open from 6 AM to 7 AM on Tuesdays for seniors at most of Walmart’s locations. In addition, Sam’s Club, Walmart’s sister retailer, will continue to offer senior shopping houses from 7 AM to 9 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other retailers have joined Walmart…

Shopify has joined the ranks of big tech firms providing relief to business owners to help them through these difficult times. Earlier this week, the e-commerce firm announced that Shopify Capital, its financing arm, will provide loans to small businesses in its home country of Canada. Lending a Helping Hand to Small Businesses Per a report from the Financial Post, chief operating officer Harley Finkelstein confirmed that Shopify Capital would be focusing on sustaining businesses in Canada, providing them with loans ranging between CA$200 and CA$500,000. Finklestein explained, however, that the aid isn’t a loan. Instead, it’s a cash advance,…