Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street. Upgrade Now
Amazon faces massive boycott threat from consumers

In This Article:

Amazon (AMZN) has a major problem on its hands after it recently raked in record profits.

The online retail giant, which has over 315 million customers worldwide, recently saw increased consumer momentum during the holiday shopping season.

Get expert insights and actionable trade alerts from veteran investing experts and hedge fund managers. Join TheStreet Pro today and get the first month FREE 🤑

Amazon’s fourth-quarter earnings report for 2024 revealed that its U.S. sales increased by 10% year-over-year during the quarter. This contributed to the company generating an operating income of $9.3 billion in the U.S., a roughly 30% increase from what it earned during the same quarter in 2023.

Related: Target sounds alarm on unexpected customer behavior

“The holiday shopping season was the most successful yet for Amazon and we appreciate the support of our customers, selling partners, and employees who helped make it so,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in the earnings report.

Amazon may soon face a dip in sales

Amazon’s sales, however, now face a major threat from frustrated consumers across the country.

The People’s Union USA, a group that has recently organized boycotts or “economic blackouts” of large corporations across the country, has just made Amazon its next target.

In a March 7 Instagram post, The People’s Union USA founder John Schwarz posted a statement from the group informing consumers that the Amazon boycott has begun, and it will last until March 14.

Amazon Prime Now Delivery van and driver downtown on 4th avenue late in the day.400tmax/Getty Images
Amazon Prime Now Delivery van and driver downtown on 4th avenue late in the day.400tmax/Getty Images

The group is urging people to boycott the online retail giant due to it allegedly exploiting its workers, harming small businesses, firing employees for organizing unions, monopolizing industries, using loopholes to dodge paying taxes, and violating the privacy of its customers.

“For the Amazon Boycott, we are targeting all commercial entities owned, operated, or significantly controlled by Amazon and Jeff Bezos,” said The People’s Union USA in the statement.

These Amazon-owned entities include Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, Twitch, MGM Studios, Audible, Zappos, and many others.

View the original article to see embedded media.

This is the second large boycott the group has organized this year. Last month, it organized its “economic blackout” boycott, which lasted all day on Feb. 28. The boycott targeted large retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and Target.

Related: Walmart, Amazon face massive boycott threat

“Corporations profit off of our labor while keeping wages low. Banks steal billions through inflation and predatory policies,” said Schwarz in a viral video on Instagram on Feb. 4. “Politicians accept bribes disguised as donations while ignoring the people. They have taken everything from us while convincing us that we should be grateful for the scraps, and that ends now. On Feb. 28, we are going to remind them who really holds the power.”