Throughout COVID-19, Amazon faced many challenges and was able to get through them with some benefits. 

Amazon was forced to make changes for the safety of their employees. Staying 6 feet apart from others, wearing a mask, and meetings being held virtually were some of the precautions Amazon made. 

During deliveries, drivers are required to get tested for the virus, leave packages a few feet away from the door to ensure the safest and most contactless delivery. 

“When residential deliveries are made, we simply have drivers leave the package within a few feet of the door (assuming the location is safe) and an alert is sent to the customer via the Amazon app,” an Amazon employee who works in the Channahon/Minooka area said. “Thus negating any possible contact between the customer and driver.” 

According to an Amazon worker, who requested to remain anonymous, in June of 2020, there were small changes to employees’ hours. Salary employees work overtime so their pay does not change, and it saves Amazon money. 

Amazon hired 175,000 employees during COVID-19. There are now about 876,800 workers in total for Amazon.

A challenge that Amazon faced was that the demand for supplies was greater than they could supply.  During the pandemic, paper towels, hand sanitizer, masks, and other supplies were going out of stock, according to CNBC.

“I find that I am both reviewing and purchasing much more frequently from Amazon. There have been many more ‘unnecessary impulse buys,'” Alfio Bottari, a forensic accountant at BMO Harris Bank, said. 

Amazon has been successful during this pandemic because there are many people staying in their houses, preventing them from going to the store, and forcing them to order off of the website. 

Amazon’s investor relations press release shows a significant increase trend in sales duing the pandemic. According to the Q1 2019 press release, net sales were $59.7 billion which jumped to $75.5 billion during Q1 2020. 

“The current crisis is demonstrating the adaptability and durability of America’s business as never before, but it’s also the hardest time we’ve ever faced,” Jeff Bezos said, according to CNBC.