Amazon is taking steps to speed the delivery of household staples and medical products amid a surge of demand because of the coronavirus pandemic — a move that threatens to devastate businesses that use its platform to sell less-essential goods
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The country's largest online retailer notified vendors and third-party sellers Tuesday that it would temporarily halt the arrival of nonessential goods at its fulfillment centers until April 5. Products that are already en route to or stored inside its warehouses as of today will still be sold, Amazon said.
The company said it would place the highest priority on products in six broad categories: baby products; health and household goods; beauty and personal care; groceries; industrial and scientific products; and pet supplies.it would hire an additional 100,000 workers in its U.S. warehouses to help handle increased demand.
The news comes as several U.S. states and European countries have closed bars, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and other businesses where people come into close contact in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. With the business closures and "social distancing" recommendations, more people are turning to online retailers like Amazon for basic goods like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.program in which third-parties use Amazon to store, pack and ship goods.
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