Amazon to move Prime Day to September: report

Amazon is moving its annual “Prime Day” sales event to the fall as many Americans are feeling financial pressure from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which has left millions jobless.

Sources familiar with the company’s decision told The Wall Street Journal that the two-day event, which features reduced prices for Amazon Prime members and results in a massive sales surge for the company, will be moved from July to September.

Amazon does not typically release profits earned on Prime Day, but the value of sales on last year’s was estimated to be around $6.1 billion.

The reason for this week’s decision appeared to be strains on Amazon’s supply chain, according to the Journal, as the company has faced shortages and slower delivery times brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Some essential goods have been unavailable, and customers have frequently faced delays.

Sources familiar with Amazon’s operations indicated to the Journal that the company’s delivery times could be slower than usual for months as a result of the pandemic.

“In particular, you will notice that we are currently out of stock on some popular brands and items, especially in household staples categories,” Amazon said in a blog post in March.

“We are working around the clock with our selling partners to ensure availability on all of our products, and bring on additional capacity to deliver all of your orders,” the company continued.

Amazon declined The Hill’s request for comment.