For the second year in a row, Amazon.com, Inc was ranked as the best overall grocery retailer in the United States.
A report from research firm ‘dunnhumby’ based on insights from 10,000 shoppers on 57 grocers in the U.S recognized Amazon for offering customers consistently low prices, convenience, and great selection on a wide variety of grocery items sold on the website, Amazon.com in 2021.
Amazon, in its recently released Q4 2021 results, revealed that it partnered with Affirm to offer customers even more ways to pay on Amazon. The company revealed that customers in the U.S. now have the flexibility to split the total cost of eligible purchases of $50or more into monthly payments at checkout with no late or hidden fees.
The report noted that Amazon’s net sales increased 9% to $137.4 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $125.6 billion in fourth quarter 2020.
Also, operating income decreased to $3.5 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $6.9 billion in fourth-quarter 2020 while net income increased to $14.3 billion in the fourth quarter.
Amazon’s Chief Executive Officer, Andy Jassy revealed that the company saw higher costs driven by labor supply shortages and inflationary pressures, adding that these issues persisted into the first quarter due to Omicron.
“Despite these short-term challenges, we continue to feel optimistic and excited about the business as we emerge from the pandemic”, he noted.
While appreciating the company’s staff, he stated that the retail teammates have effectively operated in peak mode for almost two years.
“A big thank you to employees across Amazon who overcame another quarter of COVID-related challenges and delivered for customers this holiday season. Given the extraordinary growth we saw in 2020 when customers predominantly stayed home, and the fact that we’ve continued to grow on top of that in 2021, our Retail teammates have effectively operated in peak mode for almost two years. It’s been a tremendous effort, and I’m appreciative and proud of how hard our teams have worked to serve customers”, he said.
Meanwhile, Amazon Style, Amazon’s first-ever physical store for apparel, will open this year at The Americana at Brand, a top shopping destination in greater Los Angeles.
Investors King had previously reported that the clothing store will feature women’s and men’s apparel, shoes, and accessories from a mix of well-known and emerging brands, with prices catering to a wide range of shoppers.