Amazon Retail Freezes Hiring Budget for 2025 Amid Cost-Cutting

Amazon's retail division is freezing its hiring budget for 2025, maintaining flat headcount operating expenses compared to 2024. This means that while the company will continue hiring, any increases in hiring budgets will face intense scrutiny and must be justified with strong reasons, shifting focus from headcount targets to strict budget management. The freeze applies only to corporate employees within the retail division, including its online marketplace, logistics, and Fresh grocery business, but excludes warehouse workers and Amazon Web Services staff. This move is part of CEO Andy Jassy's ongoing cost-cutting and efficiency campaign, which has included significant job cuts and organizational restructuring since 2021. Amazon emphasizes that this strategy is a responsible way to manage growth at its scale, balancing hiring needs with financial discipline. The approach may influence broader hiring trends in various global markets as companies prioritize operational efficiency.