Navigating Workplace Politics: Seeking HR’s Guidance to Foster Harmony

How do I stop co-workers from fighting over politics? Ask HR Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”
HomeBusinessAmazon's New Discount Store: A Holiday Game Changer for Shoppers!

Amazon’s New Discount Store: A Holiday Game Changer for Shoppers!

 

 

Heads up, Temu: Amazon Haul, a new discount shopping platform, is set to launch just in time for the holiday season


With an increasing number of shoppers turning to budget-friendly online marketplaces such as Temu and Shein for non-brand products, Amazon is introducing a mobile discount shopping service known as Amazon Haul.

Amazon has introduced Amazon Haul, a new shopping service featuring items priced at $20 or less, aimed at competing with the rise of discount shopping websites like Temu and Shein.

 

Shoppers can access Amazon Haul through the Amazon app on their mobile devices, as announced by the company on Wednesday. The collection includes a variety of products such as clothing, home essentials, lifestyle goods, and electronics, all unbranded and sourced from approved sellers globally.

Most items are priced under $10, with some available for as little as $1.

“Customers care about finding excellent products at low prices, and we are always looking for new ways to work with our sellers to provide ultra-low prices,” stated Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide selling partner services.

Here’s what you should know:

 

The journey to Amazon Haul

Recently, Amazon has shifted its focus toward expanding sales of affordable everyday items in response to a decline in high-value product sales and to compete with discount sites like the U.S.-based Temu and the Singapore-based Shein.

 

Hints about Amazon developing its own discount marketplace suggested a more aggressive approach to this strategy.

According to Sky Canaves, principal retail and e-commerce analyst at eMarketer, “The introduction of Haul is a strategic move for Amazon to compete with Temu and Shein, which are known for their attractive pricing despite slower shipping times. While Amazon maintains a stronghold in U.S. e-commerce, it has inevitably lost some consumer spending to these newer platforms, particularly in the low-cost and unbranded product segments.”

 

As of September 2024, eMarketer reported that Amazon’s U.S. traffic has remained “fairly stable with slight growth,” totaling 236.1 million unique visitors. In contrast, Shein has seen steady growth, reaching 52.5 million visitors, while Temu’s traffic has declined significantly from over 93 million in June 2023, stabilizing at 71.5 million.

 

Everything you need to know about Amazon Haul

Amazon Haul is a service exclusively available on mobile devices, accessible via the Amazon app (just search for “Amazon Haul”). You can also visit www.amazon.com/haul on your mobile browser.

Customers who fill their Amazon Haul cart with $25 or more will qualify for free delivery, which takes one to two weeks. Orders under $25 will incur a $3.99 delivery fee.

The more you buy, the more you save on Amazon Haul: get 5% off on orders of $50 or more, and 10% off on orders of $75 or more.

“This is just the beginning, and we’ll keep listening to our customers as we refine and enhance this service in the coming weeks and months,” stated Mehta from Amazon.

 

What can you find on Amazon Haul?

Amazon Haul specializes in budget-friendly clothing, household items, lifestyle products, and electronics. Here are some examples of items available:

  • Three-piece razor trimmer set ($2.99).
  • Colorful festive table runners ($2.99).
  • An iPhone 16 case ($1.79).
  • A women’s stretch cinch belt ($1.99).
  • Touchscreen winter gloves ($3.21).
  • A stylish necklace, bracelet, and earring set ($2.99).
  • A two-pack of kitchen/grilling tongs ($4.99).

 

Can I return products purchased on Amazon Haul?

Amazon Haul offers free returns on any purchases over $3 within 15 days following delivery. Customers can drop off returns at over 8,000 locations in the U.S., including Amazon Lockers, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Markets, UPS, and Staples.