Amazon Announces Major Workforce Reduction Ahead of Q3 Earnings

Amazon (AMZN) is preparing to eliminate approximately 30,000 corporate jobs, representing nearly 10% of its corporate workforce, according to a Reuters report. The layoffs, set to begin this week, come just days before the company's Q3 earnings announcement on October 30. This MOVE underscores Amazon's intensified cost-cutting measures as it pivots toward AI-driven operational efficiencies.

The tech giant previously cut 27,000 positions between late 2022 and 2023, a correction after pandemic-era overhiring. The latest reductions span multiple divisions, including human resources, devices and services, and operations. Managers have already received training on communicating the layoffs, with formal notifications expected imminently.

CEO Andy Jassy has framed these changes as part of Amazon's strategic shift toward AI, robotics, and cloud infrastructure. As automation displaces traditional roles, the company is simultaneously creating new positions in emerging tech sectors. Investors appeared receptive to the restructuring—AMZN shares ROSE 1.3% following the news.