Amazon.com mentioned on Tuesday that it hit record-breaking sales during the post-Thanksgiving rush.
This announcement flagged an upbeat outlook for the holiday shopping period that is lackluster for the retail industry.
Accordingly, the e-commerce giant noted in a blog post that home goods, toys and apparel were the top categories from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
Moreover, Apple AirPods, Fire TV sticks and the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer were popular purchases.
However, Amazon did not release sales figures for the two significant shopping days, typically its busiest in the holiday period.
In the stated case, market participants need to wait for its fourth-quarter results for a fuller picture of the shopping season.
Then, shoppers in the United States spent $10.70 billion on Cyber Monday, mirroring a 1.40% decrease from last year. Similarly, Black Friday online sales dropped to $8.90 billion in sales.
Conversely, physical stores purchases substantially climbed from last year, when the pandemic imposed stricter restrictions.
Meanwhile, Amazon, with its extensive marketplace, kept on elevating regardless of the macro conditions.
The highly valued firm offered the lowest prices by an average of 14.00% compared to its competitors.
At present, reports showed that the business obtained 17.70% of the total Black Friday sales.
As a result, experts anticipated all-time high online sales in the holiday season.
Consumers already began buying gifts early this year out of concern for delays and supply shortages.
Subsequently, retailers already kicked off their holiday deals well in advance of Black Friday.
Consequently, Amazon ensured that it took extra measures to prepare for the rush. It already directed goods to various shipping ports.
Then, it selected high-cost delivery routes to deliver items to facilities where stock is low.
Amazon Faces Pressure on Dropping COVID Protocols
Amazon also faces questions over rolling back its COVID protocols in warehouses, spurred by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Accordingly, Atty. James seeks an emergency court order to force Amazon to impose stricter health protocols.
She argued that the firm’s decision to drop safety measures in at least one of its warehouses places employees at risk of exposure.
At the same time, she claimed that Amazon prioritized profit over worker safety at its New York facilities.
Meanwhile, the online retailer giant did not respond to inquiries about whether it has rolled back coronavirus protocols.
Earlier this month, it announced that it would no longer require fully vaccinated warehouse employees to wear masks at work.
Furthermore, the shares of Amazon edged up 1.21% or 42.43 points to $3,549.50 per share during the late trading.
