Amazon SWOT. Amazon is one of the largest and most successful companies in the world, with a wide range of products and services that span everything from e-commerce to cloud computing. But what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing Amazon today, and how can the company leverage this information to stay ahead of the competition?
In this blog post, we will conduct a comprehensive SWOT analysis of Amazon. We will explore the company’s strengths, such as its dominance in the e-commerce market and its strong brand image, as well as its weaknesses, such as its high operational costs. We will also examine the opportunities and threats facing the company, including changing consumer preferences and increasing competition from both domestic and international players.
By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of the factors that are shaping Amazon’s success, as well as the challenges the company faces in the years ahead. Whether you’re a potential investor, a student of business, or simply interested in the strategies of successful companies, this SWOT analysis is sure to provide valuable insights into one of the most innovative and respected companies in the world. So let’s dive in and explore the SWOT analysis of Amazon.
An Overview of Amazon
Amazon’s popularity is widespread around the globe. It has over 310 million active users and 200 million Prime subscribers worldwide. Being the world’s leading online retailer, Amazon has many achievements, eye-popping profits, and successful launches.
Let’s discuss this online retail giant in a bit of depth and understand the company’s business scenario with the help of Amazon’s SWOT analysis.
Jeff Bezos laid the foundation of Amazon in 1994. Initially, the company started as an online bookstore but soon converted to a top online retailer, selling almost everything from A to Z, just like its logo says.
Did you know?
When Amazon started, a bell rang at the office after every purchase. Soon enough, this bell had to be shut down because of the high sales volume.
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SWOT analysis of Amazon
The SWOT analysis of Amazon is given below:
Amazon Strengths: Internal Strategic Factors
strong brand image
As a global e-commerce giant, Amazon has a strong position and a successful brand image.
Brand Valuation
According to Interbrand’s Global Brand Ranking 2022, Amazon is ranked at #3 (Apple at #1 and Microsoft at #2), with a brand value of $274 billion.
Customer-Oriented
Amazon caters to many customers for everyday needs at inexpensive prices. This has made it a customer-oriented brand.
Differentiation and innovation
Amazon frequently brings creative ideas and innovative additions to its product line and service offerings, like its ambitious drone delivery service and Withings Aura Smart Sleep System. This creates differentiation for other companies.
Cost Leadership
Amazon doesn’t incur costs in maintaining physical retail stores by selling everything online. With economies of scale, Amazon efficiently controls costs and lowers inventory replenishment time. The company has formed numerous strategic alliances with many companies, like Evi Technologies, Thalmic Labs, Shoefitr, The Orange Chef, etc. It has a robust value chain system, which helps maintain a low-cost structure.
largest merchandise selection
Amazon has an extensive product mix, attracting online customers to make most purchases from it rather than other online retailers. Amazon has sold 75 million products in its Amazon.com Marketplace.
large number of third-party sellers
Due to the high traffic volume on Amazon’s sites, many third-party sellers have joined the platform to sell their merchandise. The data from Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) reveals that more than 2 billion items are available from third-party sellers.
Go Global and Act Locally
This strategy has benefited Amazon the most. Amazon develops partnerships with local supply chain companies that help it compete against domestic e-commerce rivals. It understands local needs and launches its services per the country’s culture.
In India, for example, it has launched a marketing campaign called “Aur Dikhao” to encourage users to search for more of its products.
a large number of acquisitions
The successful acquisitions of Whole Foods, Zappos.com, Woot.com, Junglee.com, IMBD.com, and many others have produced significant revenues and profits for Amazon.
Key business segments
Amazon Marketplace, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Amazon Prime are three critical businesses of Amazon that work together and support each other. As a whole, they generate massive profits and advantages for the company.
Market Leader
With over $1 trillion in market capitalization and above $513 billion in annual revenue, Amazon is a market leader in online retail.
Superior Logistics and Distribution Systems
Amazon uses highly efficient logistics and distribution systems. It even has fixed rates for different delivery times. Thus, it ensures reliable, secure, and fast delivery of goods and products to customers.
Minimum Pay Raise: $15 Per Hour
Amazon is among the first companies in retail to raise its minimum hourly pay to $15. In comparison, Target pays $12 per Hour, Walmart pays $11 per Hour, and Costco pays $14 per Hour.
Amazon Weaknesses: Internal Strategic Factors
Easily Imitable Business Model
Online retail businesses have become quite common in this digital world. So, imitating Amazon’s business model for rival firms is not so difficult. A few companies are even giving Amazon a tough time. These include Barnes & Noble, eBay, Netflix, Hulu, Oyster, etc.
2. Losing Margins in a Few Areas
In a few areas, such as India, Amazon has faced losses. Its free shipping to customers can be one of the reasons that exposes the risks of losing margins in some markets.
Product Flops and Failures
Its Fire Phone’s launch in the US was a big failure, while its Kindle Fire device didn’t grow well.
Tax Avoidance Controversy
Tax avoidance in Japan, the UK, and the US has sparked negative publicity for Amazon. President Trump criticized Amazon over taxes on social media.
limited brick-and-Mortar presence
Amazon owns very few physical stores. This sometimes hinders the ability to attract customers to buy things that are not sellable in online stores.
Poor workplace conditions
Vox published adverse reports on employees’ treatment and workplace conditions against Amazon. Poor air conditioning, timed bathroom breaks, and constant video surveillance are a few of the negative remarks made by the employees. Such things affect the reputation of Amazon.
Declining consumer safety
As its offerings increase, it is becoming a challenge for Amazon to vet each product and guarantee the highest level of safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ordered Amazon to remove many pesticides and unsafe products from its platform.
Unfair Use of Third-Party Data
Engaging in unfair trade practices undermines trust and increases legal risks. Amazon faces antitrust charges in the European Union for collecting and using data from third parties to compete against them. If found in violation, Amazon can be fined up to 10% ($28 billion) of its 2019 annual revenue ($280 billion).
Over-Dependence on Distributors
Relying on distributors exposes Amazon to a wide range of issues. One of its leading distributors (German Logistic Group, Deutsche Post DHL) can leverage its position to renegotiate terms.
Employees Strike
Strikes can grind Amazon’s operations to a halt. Amazon employees went on strike in Germany due to unsafe working conditions, paralyzing operations in six distribution centers.
Amazon Drivers Allege Inhumane Work Conditions
Amazon delivery drivers allege they’re forced to urinate in bottles because of the strict delivery schedules and constraints. While the company has denied that they don’t force their drivers to pee in bottles, some drivers have come forward with complaints.
While the online retail giant denies the allegations, it’s also true that the company does impose stringent company policies, which can have dire consequences for Amazon workers.
Amazon Opportunities: External Strategic Factors
Expansion in Emerging Markets
Amazon can gain the opportunity to penetrate or expand its operations in emerging markets.
Physical Stores
By expanding physical stores, Amazon can improve its competitiveness against big-box retailers and engage customers with the brand.
Counterfeit Products
Amazon has the opportunity to improve technological measures and organizational policies to reduce counterfeit sales. One case of counterfeit sales came to light when Amazon sold a fake My Critter Catcher. The product was sold for $1 less than the original product.
Backward Integration
Can do backward integration by expanding its production of in-house brands such as Amazon Basics to differentiate its offerings and improve profit margins.
Self-driving technology
Amazon recently acquired California-based self-driving startup Zoox Inc. for $1 billion. It can now leverage autonomous technology to exploit the increase in demand for ride-hailing services or use it to improve its delivery network.
Launch of electric rickshaws in India
Amazon pledges to make a positive impact on the environment. With this vision in mind, Amazon plans to deploy 10,000 electric rickshaws for delivery in India by 2025.
Personalized Shopper Service Hits Big
Amazon recently launched its incredible personal shopper service exclusively for Prime members. So, if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can opt for the personal shopper experience, which gives you access to the company’s professional stylists and fashionistas.
They will help you select the best clothing items, accessories, shoes, bags, wallets, etc. that suit your taste. Remember, millions of product options are available; having a personal team of shoppers will be a big help.
Plans to Enter the Cryptostratosphere
There are a lot of speculations and rumors floating around the crypto ecosystem. However, there have been reports by mainstream media outlets that Amazon plans to move into cryptocurrency, stating that the company has developed a big appetite for digital currencies and blockchain.
If the retail giant does step into the crypto space and accept virtual currencies as a payment option, there will be massive opportunities for small businesses in the future.
Launch of Electric Delivery Vans Across the US
Amazon is revolutionizing the delivery industry with its commitment to sustainability. With the roll-out of over 3,000 custom electric delivery vans packed with cutting-edge safety, design, and navigation features, Amazon is well on its way to achieving its Climate Pledge goal of bringing 100,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030 with Rivian.
These eco-friendly vans are already making deliveries in over 500 cities and regions across the country, including major metropolises like Boston, Austin, and Chicago, having delivered more than 75 million packages to customers in the US.
Amazon is not only dedicated to customer satisfaction but also to protecting the planet we all call home.
Amazon Luna: Game Anywhere on Devices You Own
Amazon Luna is a cloud-based gaming service that allows you to play games on your devices without needing gaming consoles or PCs. Games can be streamed directly to your screen if you can access high-speed internet.
Launched first in the US in 2022, the service is now available in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. A broad range of casual games, AAA titles, and retro classics are available here.
However, you’ll need a “Luna Controller” for a better gaming experience and a monthly fee to access the Ubisoft +, Luna+, and Jackbox Games subscription packages with many new games.
Launch of Amazon Clinic: A Virtual Healthcare Service
Amazon has launched the Amazon Clinic, a message-based virtual care service that offers affordable and accessible virtual care options for more than 20 common health conditions, including allergies, acne, and hair loss.
Currently, the service is available in 32 states, allowing customers to select their preferred telehealth provider and receive treatment within hours with upfront pricing.
The service helps customers achieve better health at their convenience, whether at home, during dinner, at the grocery store, or on the go.
Amazon’s Biggest Acquisitions
More acquisitions of companies can increase the company’s market share and reduce competition. Some of the most significant investments by Amazon are Whole Foods, MGM, Zappos, Twitch, Ring, etc.
- Amazon dominates the cloud market.
- With a market share of 34%, Amazon Web Services dominates the $200 billion+ cloud market and has enormous potential to grow because most users prefer the elasticity and security that AWS provides.
Amazon Threats: External Strategic Factors
Few controversies
Has caused a dent in Amazon’s brand image. People critically reacted and boycotted Amazon sites in 2010 when they found it was selling the book “The Paedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-lover’s Code of Conduct.”
Government regulations
Regulations can also threaten Amazon’s business in some critical countries. Amazon does not ship to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
Links to exploitative labor
Amazon is one of three retail giants facing scrutiny from the US State Department for maintaining supply chains and labor sources associated with human rights abuses. This exposes the e-commerce giant to reputational, economic, and legal risks.
Cybercrime
Increasing cybercrime can affect the company’s network security system.
Aggressive competition
Competition with big retail firms like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and eBay can give Amazon a tough time in the future. In addition, Amazon now competes with the following companies:
- Video Streaming Services: Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+
- In Logistics: FexEx, UPS
- In self-driving technology: Tesla, Uber, Ford
New Entrants
Imitation is simple, as many new entrants are coming up in the market, usually with the same business model as Amazon.
Fake Products
The increase in counterfeiting and fake products threatens Amazon’s profits. The company recently filed a lawsuit against a New York-based online retailer for allegedly counterfeiting Valentino shoes, a luxury Italian shoe brand offered by Amazon.
Economic Recession
Amazon is not immune to an economic recession. If economic uncertainty worsens, it can impact Amazon’s sales.
Fake reviews
Amazon has overwhelming fake reviews, and the problem has recently worsened due to the pandemic. Product reviews are a critical indicator of quality and authenticity, and customers rely heavily on reviews to make purchases.
According to the Financial Times investigation, Amazon has deleted over 20,000 fake 5-star reviews from its top UK reviewers.
Lawmakers Seek Answers After Tornado Kills Amazon Workers
Democratic lawmakers are searching for answers from Amazon after a recent tornado hit an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, killing six workers. In a letter posted, the company has been heavily criticized for poor worker safety policies and complete disregard for putting emergency countermeasures in place.
A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is set to take legal action against Amazon for allegedly violating children’s privacy with its Alexa voice assistant. This is part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into potential Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act violations, which could result in significant financial penalties.
The e-commerce giant is also being investigated for data security and privacy concerns in its Ring camera and home security businesses.
Although COPPA imposes financial penalties of slightly over $50,000 for each violation, the sum can add up quickly as each affected person is considered a separate violation.
Recommendations
SWOT analysis clarifies the current standing of Amazon. A few necessary improvements are needed to administer the product and reinforce its market position.
In short, Amazon must strengthen its key areas, minimize its weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and counteract threats to its future progress.
A few recommendations are given below:
- Consolidate market dominance by boosting its marketing efforts, promotional activities, and competitive advantages.
- Strategically deal with global controversies. Amazon needs to resolve tax issues and manage its app’s features efficiently to diminish negative publicity in the market.
- Increase its limited presence by opening physical stores outside the U.S. This will augment brand popularity and market reach.
- Enhance its strategic entry into developing countries with many growth opportunities.
- Increase its competitive edge and enlarge the gap between Amazon and its biggest competitors.
- Address the issues of counterfeit sales and cybercrime by upgrading technology measures.
- Enhance network security systems for the protection of consumers’ rights.