Amazon to slash hundreds of jobs in its AWS cloud-computing business

By Jon Swartz

Amazon Web Services is 'streamlining' operations in 'a few targeted areas,' spokesperson says

Amazon.com Inc. is trimming hundreds of jobs from its AWS cloud-computing business in its latest round of layoffs aimed at slashing costs.

Amazon Web Services on Wednesday said the cutbacks will affect several hundred jobs in sales, marketing and global services, as well as hundreds more from the physical stores technology team.

An AWS spokesperson said Amazon (AMZN) is hiring within its core business areas.

"We've identified a few targeted areas of the organization we need to streamline in order to continue focusing our efforts on the key strategic areas that we believe will deliver maximum impact. We didn't make these decisions lightly, and we're committed to supporting the employees throughout their transition to new roles in and outside of Amazon," a company spokesperson said in a statement. "These decisions are difficult but necessary as we continue to invest, hire, and optimize resources to deliver innovation for our customers."

On Tuesday, Amazon said it would remove its "Just Walk Out" technology from Amazon Fresh grocery stores in the U.S. It had used the technology to charge shoppers for purchases automatically without using a cashier.

Amazon's stock was up nearly 1% in late afternoon trading Wednesday.

-Jon Swartz

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-03-24 1524ET

Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.