Amazon has announced a significant milestone for its Indian sellers, with total exports exceeding $20 billion, reaching this target well ahead of schedule. The e-commerce giant has now set an ambitious new goal for its Indian marketplace.

Export Growth and New Target

Amazon revealed that Indian sellers on its platform have surpassed $20 billion in cumulative exports, with nearly $7 billion contributed in the current year alone. This achievement comes ahead of their initial end-2025 target, prompting the company to set a new, more ambitious goal of $80 billion in exports by 2030.

Key Drivers and Popular Categories

The impressive growth is primarily driven by strong demand in several product categories:

Seller Base Expansion

Amazon's Indian seller base has seen significant growth:

Top Export Destinations

The United States remains the primary destination for Indian sellers on Amazon, followed by:

1. United Kingdom
2. Germany
3. Canada

Notable Contributions from Smaller Cities

Smaller Indian cities are making substantial contributions to the export figures:

Impact of US Tariffs

Despite the US doubling tariffs to 50% on certain goods from India in August, reportedly in response to India's Russian oil purchases, Amazon executives stated that the broader impact on exports remained limited.

This milestone underscores the growing importance of e-commerce platforms in facilitating cross-border trade and supporting small and medium-sized businesses in reaching global markets. As Amazon sets its sights on the $80 billion export target by 2030, it will be interesting to observe how this may impact India's overall export landscape and economic growth in the coming years.

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, is making strategic moves in its workforce management, simultaneously reducing its human resources staff while gearing up for a substantial holiday season hiring spree.

HR Downsizing

Amazon is set to implement a 15% reduction in its human resources staff, with the People eXperience Technology (PXT) Team bearing the brunt of these cuts. The PXT division, which employs over 10,000 people globally, encompasses various roles including recruiting teams, technology staff, and traditional HR positions.

This move follows a series of smaller layoffs earlier in the year, affecting Amazon's:

• Consumer devices unit
• Wondery podcast division
• Amazon web series

Seasonal Hiring Surge

Despite the HR downsizing, Amazon is preparing for a significant influx of workers for the upcoming holiday season. The company plans to add 250,000 workers for full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles.

Strategic Focus on AI

Amazon's workforce restructuring aligns with its strategic pivot towards artificial intelligence. The company is allocating substantial resources to AI products and infrastructure, with planned capital expenditure exceeding $100 billion for cloud and AI data centers.

E-commerce Outlook

The U.S. online shopping sector is poised for growth during the holiday season:

This projected increase in online shopping activity underscores the importance of Amazon's seasonal hiring strategy, ensuring the company is well-staffed to handle the anticipated surge in consumer demand.

Amazon's dual approach of streamlining its HR operations while significantly expanding its seasonal workforce reflects the company's adaptability in response to changing market dynamics and technological advancements. As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, Amazon's strategic decisions in workforce management and technological investment will likely play a crucial role in maintaining its competitive edge in the market.