Amazon (AMZN, Financial) announced a reduction in its books division workforce, impacting less than 100 employees across Goodreads and the Kindle unit. This move aims to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. An Amazon spokesperson mentioned that the decision aligns with ongoing efforts to improve team and project effectiveness and better align with the company's business roadmap.
The Seattle-based retailer has been conducting intermittent layoffs, with recent cuts in its devices and services division, Wondery podcast unit, and store and communications staff. CEO Andy Jassy is focused on reducing what he describes as excessive bureaucracy within the company, including trimming the number of managers. Despite these layoffs, Amazon increased its workforce by approximately 4,000 positions in the first quarter compared to the previous year's fourth quarter.
Amazon's stock closed up 0.3%, though it has declined 5.6% year-to-date.
