Asia Press Agency

Tag: Amazon

  • Amazon MX Player’s ‘Aashram’ Starring Bobby Deol Breaks All Stereotypes, Continues to Shatter Records as India’s Most-watch Series

    Amazon MX Player’s ‘Aashram’ Starring Bobby Deol Breaks All Stereotypes, Continues to Shatter Records as India’s Most-watch Series

    Amazon MX Player’s blockbuster series Aashram has once again raised the bar, captivating over 250 million viewers across India. The latest instalment, Aashram S3 Part 2, has topped Ormax Media’s most-watched streaming originals list for four consecutive weeks, cementing its status as India’s most beloved OTT franchise.
    Audience mix myth busted, reach expanded

    • Amazon’s shopping profiles reveal that 77% of viewers are tech-savvy, while 64% are fashion-forward, reflecting a highly engaged and trend-conscious fan base.
    • Aashram has shattered the myth that crime dramas appeal only to male audiences, over 20% of its audiences being women.
    • The series resonated across age groups, from young adults to 25+ year old viewers.
    • Aashram resonates with pan-India audiences across both metros/Tier 1 cities, as well as Tier 2/3 cities. While Hindi remains the dominant language, the series also gained traction for Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu dubbed versions.

     

    Unprecedented buzz and innovative marketing

    • The series attracted multiple sponsors with Vimal being the presenting sponsor, co-powered by Lahori Zeera, Lux Nitro, and special partners including KEI Wires & Cables, Kenstar and Zandu Fast Relief.
    • Trailer released on YouTube trended on YouTube for 23 days, amassing 24 million views.
    • The 360-marketing plan was amplified through TV, digital, outdoor and social media, fuelled a nationwide frenzy.
    • Collaboration between Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, where Baba Nirala ‘granted’ his unique wish of becoming an opener drove high engagement with 6.3 million views and 850k engagement.

     

    Bobby Deol, reflecting on the overwhelming response, added, “Aashram has been a defining journey for me, and the love it continues to receive is truly humbling. This season, the stakes are higher, the drama is deeper, and the impact is greater than ever before. Seeing fans embrace Baba Narala’s journey with such enthusiasm is incredibly rewarding!”

     

    National Award-winning director Prakash Jha expressed his gratitude, stating, “The journey of Baba Nirala continues to enthrall Indians. Every season, we push boundaries to make Aashram more intense, compelling, and relevant. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering love and enthusiasm of our audience.”

     

    Karan Bedi, Director and Head of Amazon MX Player shared, “Aashram is a tribute to Indian viewers. It’s phenomenal success reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality, free entertainment to audiences across India. The overwhelming response to Aashram S3 Part 2 has been extraordinary, driven by its gripping storytelling and outstanding performances. We are grateful to our sponsors for their support and helping us bring compelling stories to life.”

     

    The latest episodes are now streaming for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player, available through its apps on mobile, Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Airtel Xtreme and Connected TVs.

  • Amazon Introduces Prime Shopping for India’s Festive Season

    Amazon Introduces Prime Shopping for India’s Festive Season

    In preparation for India’s festive sale season, Amazon has introduced a specialized Prime membership called Prime Shopping Edition. Priced at ₹399 for a one-year subscription, this membership offers exclusive shopping perks to Indian users, including free shipping and one-day deliveries. It is exclusively available to users of Android smartphones and on the Amazon website.

     

    Notably, this move by Amazon comes shortly after Flipkart rolled out its membership program called Flipkart VIP, priced at ₹499 for an annual subscription. Flipkart VIP provides specific advantages related to delivery and returns in certain areas.

     

    While the standard Amazon Prime subscription is initially priced at ₹1,499 per year, it is often available at a discounted rate of ₹999. It offers a wide array of additional perks, including access to the OTT platform Prime Video, the music streaming app Prime Music, Prime Reading, and Prime Gaming.

     

    In contrast, Flipkart VIP does not include entertainment services but does provide exclusive offers and advantages for members utilizing Cleartrip, the travel unit owned by Walmart’s subsidiary.

     

    Amazon Great Indian Festival 2023 has already begun for Prime members, with a scheduled start date of October 8 for everyone else. However, the closing date for the sale is yet to be revealed.

     

    During the festival, SBI cardholders can enjoy a 10 percent instant discount on their purchases. The sale features discounts of up to 40 percent on mobiles and accessories, as well as up to 75 percent on laptops, smartwatches, and other items.

     

    Amazon has launched a dedicated webpage showcasing discounts on a wide range of products, including mobile phones, accessories, electronic gadgets like smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs, as well as various home appliances. Numerous devices from both Indian and international brands, such as Apple, Asus, Lenovo, OnePlus, iQoo, Realme, Samsung, boAt, and Sony, are set to undergo price reductions.

     

    As Amazon and Flipkart vie for the attention of Indian shoppers during the festive season, consumers can look forward to a wide array of deals and discounts across various product categories.

  • Ofcom to Push for Antitrust Investigation into Amazon

    Ofcom to Push for Antitrust Investigation into Amazon

    The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, is poised to advocate for an antitrust investigation into the dominant positions held by Amazon and Microsoft in the country’s cloud computing market. The recommendation, initially proposed by Ofcom in April, is expected to be included in the regulator’s final report, scheduled for release later this week, according to sources familiar with the matter.

     

    Amazon and Microsoft collectively command a substantial market share estimated to be between 60% and 70%, while their nearest competitor, Alphabet’s Google, lags behind with roughly 10% of the market. The concentration of power in the hands of Amazon and Microsoft has raised concerns about competition and the impact on customer choice in the cloud computing sector.

     

    Ofcom’s earlier assessment highlighted the challenges faced by existing cloud computing customers when negotiating favorable terms with their providers. The regulator raised concerns about technical constraints and discounts that incentivize customers to remain with a single provider, even when superior alternatives exist. Such practices could be viewed as anti-competitive and detrimental to smaller cloud providers attempting to compete with industry giants.

     

    Ofcom expressed its concern, stating, “We are concerned that constraints on customers’ ability to use more than one provider could make it harder for smaller cloud providers to win business and compete with the market leaders.” This sentiment underscores the regulator’s belief that a lack of competition in the market may stifle innovation and limit customer options.

     

    In response to Ofcom’s initial proposal, Microsoft submitted a detailed 58-page response, arguing that an antitrust investigation could potentially harm consumers and hinder the competitiveness of UK businesses and public sector customers on a global scale. Microsoft emphasized the importance of ensuring that UK enterprises and government entities have access to robust and competitive cloud solutions in a global context.

     

    The dominance of Amazon and Microsoft in the UK’s cloud computing landscape has drawn increasing scrutiny from regulatory authorities, with Ofcom being among the concerned parties. While both Amazon and Microsoft have not yet officially responded to the recent developments, it remains to be seen how this recommendation will impact the competitive dynamics of the UK cloud computing market.

     

    The potential antitrust investigation, if initiated, could have far-reaching consequences for the cloud industry in the UK and may set a precedent for other countries grappling with issues of market concentration in the tech sector. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by industry players, policymakers, and consumers alike, as it will likely shape the future landscape of cloud computing in the UK.

  • Lina Khan Targets Amazon’s E-commerce Monopoly in Lawsuit

    Lina Khan Targets Amazon’s E-commerce Monopoly in Lawsuit

    Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a prominent figure in the world of antitrust enforcement, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, marking another significant step in the ongoing scrutiny of big tech companies. Khan, known for her prior critique of Amazon’s practices, has accused the e-commerce giant of abusing its monopoly power in the online retail market.

     

    Khan’s legal criticism of Amazon initially gained attention in 2017 when she was a law student at Yale, and the company was rapidly expanding its reach in the retail sector. In her academic paper, Khan accused Amazon of engaging in predatory pricing strategies, where it lowered prices to a level where competitors couldn’t compete, thus hurting consumers. However, she acknowledged that predatory pricing was almost obsolete as a legal theory due to high legal barriers.

     

    Fast forward to 2023, and the FTC’s lawsuit presents a different perspective. Instead of accusing Amazon of harming consumers with low prices, the lawsuit asserts that Amazon has hurt consumers by imposing higher prices, mainly through punitive measures against marketplace sellers who offer lower discounts elsewhere. Additionally, it claims that Amazon benefits from its monopoly by mandating sellers to use its fulfillment services.

     

    This change in focus has led to discussions about the evolution of antitrust enforcement, with experts highlighting the complexity of antitrust theory and practice. While Khan’s 2017 paper criticized Amazon for aggressive discounting to gain a monopoly, the company later shifted to raising prices after establishing market dominance. This shift aligns with the most common theory of antitrust harm, which centers on consumer harm, often through higher prices or reduced quality.

     

    The FTC’s lawsuit further claims that Amazon’s advertising practices have contributed to its violations. Amazon’s shopping results pages are described as “cluttered with advertisements,” making it challenging for consumers to find the products they want. Additionally, it suggests that Amazon’s advertising creates a pay-to-play system for sellers who must pay for better search placements through advertising.

     

    Amazon has strongly contested the FTC’s claims, arguing that they are baseless and would force the company to raise prices or offer worse service to consumers. The company has emphasized its role in helping marketplace sellers offer competitive prices.

     

    It’s worth noting that the FTC’s complaint does not address certain practices that Lina Khan criticized in her 2017 paper, such as Amazon’s alleged use of third-party seller data to create competing products. Transforming these claims into antitrust violations presents legal challenges.

     

    Overall, Lina Khan’s lawsuit against Amazon reflects the evolving landscape of antitrust enforcement, especially in the digital age where online platforms act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. While the outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain, it underscores the broader debate about the power and practices of tech giants in the digital economy.

  • FTC Investigates Amazon: Lina Khan’s Antitrust Challenge

    FTC Investigates Amazon: Lina Khan’s Antitrust Challenge

    Lina Khan, a law student in 2017, gained attention with an article advocating for a reimagining of US antitrust law, focusing on Amazon.com. Today, as Chair of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Khan is leading an investigation into Amazon’s business practices, raising questions about the company’s market dominance and competition. Here’s what you need to know about this high-profile case:

     

    FTC’s Investigation:
    The FTC and 17 states have accused Amazon of engaging in illegal conduct to stifle competition. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon compels sellers on its platform to use its logistics and delivery services in exchange for prominent placement and punishes merchants that offer lower prices on rival sites. This investigation began in 2019.

     

    Amazon’s Response:
    Amazon counters these allegations, claiming that its practices benefit customers and the online retail market. The company argues that the FTC’s case is “wrong on the facts and the law.” Amazon maintains that it competes vigorously in the retail market, both online and offline, striving to offer customers the best shopping experience, including competitive prices and a wide range of products.

     

    Third-Party Sellers:
    Amazon operates as a platform for third-party sellers, acting as both a competitor and business partner. Some independent merchants have accused Amazon of using its gatekeeper role to disadvantage competing sellers and even using proprietary consumer data to create competing products.

     

    Market Share:
    The definition of the market is crucial in this case. The FTC is expected to argue that Amazon’s marketplace is the most widely used platform for purchasing various products, and it unlawfully ties access to its marketplace with the use of its logistics service, resulting in higher prices for consumers. Amazon accounts for a significant share of online retail sales (37.6%), but a smaller portion (3.5%) of total US retail, including offline businesses.

     

    Other FTC Cases Against Amazon:
    The FTC has pursued consumer protection cases against Amazon. These include settlements related to Amazon’s Alexa-powered speakers, Ring video doorbell privacy concerns, and allegations of deceptive practices in signing up for Prime service memberships. Additionally, the FTC is investigating Amazon’s proposed acquisition of iRobot, maker of the Roomba automated vacuum cleaner.

     

    Amazon’s Diverse Business Portfolio:
    Apart from its e-commerce site, Amazon offers fulfillment services, Prime video and music streaming, and is a major player in cloud computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS). The acquisition of Whole Foods also established Amazon’s presence in the grocery industry.

     

    Significance of the Case:
    This case holds significant implications for antitrust law and the broader tech industry. President Joe Biden’s appointment of Lina Khan as FTC Chair reflects a desire to return to trust-busting practices from the early 20th century. Khan, known for her work on modern monopolies, contributed to a report that informed tech-focused antitrust bills in Congress. Amazon has called for Khan’s recusal from the FTC’s investigation, but two judges have ruled in favor of her participation.

     

    The outcome of this case against Amazon will test the boundaries of US antitrust law, particularly in an era dominated by tech giants, and could set important precedents for future antitrust enforcement.

  • Amazon Invests in AI Startup Anthropic for Minority Stake

    Amazon Invests in AI Startup Anthropic for Minority Stake

    In a strategic move to strengthen its position in the world of generative artificial intelligence, e-commerce behemoth Amazon.com has announced a substantial investment of up to $4 billion in the AI startup Anthropic. This sizable infusion of capital secures Amazon a minority stake in Anthropic and signifies the tech giant’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in the AI domain.

     

    One of the key components of this collaboration is Anthropic’s access to Amazon’s vast computing power. To leverage this computing prowess, Anthropic will migrate a significant portion of its software to Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers. Additionally, the startup will harness AWS’s homegrown chips to train the models that power a range of AI applications, including chatbots.

     

    The implications of this investment go beyond mere financial support. Amazon engineers, spanning both AWS and other divisions, will gain access to Anthropic’s AI models, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and expertise.

     

    Commenting on this development, Poonam Goyal, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, emphasized that while the $4 billion investment may not immediately transform Amazon’s financial landscape, it underscores the company’s commitment to competing with industry leaders like Microsoft in the AI arena.

     

    This collaboration also has the potential to boost Amazon’s in-house chipmaking efforts. The company has developed proprietary processors named Trainium and Inferentia, designed to power machine-learning applications. Anthropic, leveraging AWS chips, will play a pivotal role in constructing and training foundational models for future AI applications.

     

    Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expressed admiration for Anthropic’s team and foundational models, highlighting the opportunity for improving customer experiences through this partnership. He underscored the significance of offerings like Amazon Bedrock, an AWS managed service enabling companies to build generative AI applications atop various foundation models. In addition, AWS Trainium, an AI training chip, stands to benefit from the collaboration with Anthropic.

     

    Anthropic, founded by former members of OpenAI, has successfully secured over $1 billion in funding. Its mission revolves around developing safer and more advanced chatbot technologies, capable of tasks such as summarization, search, question answering, and coding. Notably, Alphabet Inc.’s Google previously invested nearly $400 million in Anthropic.

     

    Dario Amodei, co-founder and CEO of Anthropic, emphasized the significance of expanding the partnership. He emphasized that together with AWS’s leading cloud technology, Anthropic aims to unlock new possibilities for organizations of all sizes, further advancing safe and state-of-the-art AI systems.

     

    Following this announcement, Amazon’s shares experienced a modest uptick as the market opened in New York, underscoring the market’s interest in the company’s strategic AI investments.

  • Hollywood Strike Rally Outside Amazon and HBO Headquarters

    Hollywood Strike Rally Outside Amazon and HBO Headquarters

    In a powerful display of unity, hundreds of entertainment workers in the United States gathered outside the New York headquarters of Amazon and HBO on Tuesday as part of a National Day of Solidarity with the ongoing Hollywood strike. The strike, initiated by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in May, has escalated as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) joined the picket lines last month. The combined efforts have effectively shut down film and TV production across the nation and led to the postponement of the prestigious Emmy Awards.

     

    Chants echoed through the air and placards waved high as demonstrators expressed their commitment to continue the strike until their demands are met. The unions are pushing for improved pay, guarantees to limit the use of artificial intelligence, and better overall working conditions for entertainment industry professionals.

     

    Ezra Knight, the president of the New York branch of SAG-AFTRA, emphasized the growth of the movement and assured that they were steadfast in their fight. “The movement has not stopped, the movement has only grown,” Knight stated. “We’re still here, we’re still fighting.”

     

    The Writers Guild of America recently announced its willingness to return to the negotiation table, responding to studios’ requests for a meeting to explore solutions to end the strike. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing major studios like Disney and Netflix, has shown an interest in rethinking their stance and engaging in discussions.

     

    Actress Laura Houha expressed her hope that the demonstrations and collective voice of the workers would influence those in power. “Hopefully the loud sounds that we’re making are being heard by the powers that be and they’re seeing that there’s more of us than there are of them,” she commented.

     

    As the strike continues to impact the entertainment industry, the solidarity demonstrated by workers sends a clear message that their demands for fair pay and improved working conditions are non-negotiable. The convergence of unions and workers outside major entertainment hubs signifies a determined labor movement that seeks lasting change within the industry.

  • Bengaluru Youth Arrested for Swindling Amazon

    Bengaluru Youth Arrested for Swindling Amazon

    In a significant case of online fraud, a 22-year-old Bengaluru resident, Chirag Gupta, has been apprehended for masterminding an elaborate refund scam that duped Amazon of more than 20 lakh rupees. Gupta, an engineering student residing in North Bengaluru, operated as part of a gang led by a former Amazon employee, and their modus operandi involved faking the return of high-value items like iPhones and MacBooks.

     

    Reports indicate that Gupta, in collaboration with a friend, orchestrated the sham returns of 16 iPhones and 2 MacBooks. Gupta’s accomplice manipulated the backend system to simulate returned items, while Gupta secured the corresponding refunds without arousing suspicion. The transactions predominantly involved credit cards and UPI transactions, amounting to approximately 3.4 lakh rupees.

     

    Among the notable purchases were an iPhone 14 Pro Max valued at 1.27 lakh rupees on May 15, an iPhone 14 worth 84,999 rupees on May 16, and two iPhone 14 models priced at 90,999 and 84,999 rupees on May 17.

     

    Amazon began to grow suspicious of Gupta’s purchasing patterns due to an influx of complaints, prompting an investigation into the matter. The company uncovered that the items in question were never genuinely returned despite being marked as such on the backend. Intriguingly, all the purchases were linked to the same address, emphasizing the fraudulent nature of the operation.

     

    Upon inspection, law enforcement authorities confiscated gadgets worth 20.34 lakh rupees from Gupta. Additionally, approximately 30 lakh rupees across multiple bank accounts associated with the accused were frozen.

     

    Further revelations from the probe unveiled an unexpected twist: Gupta and his associate conducted crypto transactions to profit from the scam. Gupta received commissions from the profits earned on each item that they sold via cryptocurrency transactions. The sophistication of the scam highlights the evolving tactics that criminals are using to exploit online platforms and payment systems for personal gain.

  • Amazon Resumes its Amazon Shipping Service

    Amazon Resumes its Amazon Shipping Service

    Amazon has announced the revival of its shipping service, Amazon Shipping, which had been put on hold at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this move, Amazon aims to compete with established logistics giants FedEx and UPS. The service allows sellers, including those on external platforms, to utilize Amazon’s delivery services for domestic shipments without needing to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses.

     

    Confirming the resumption of the service, an Amazon spokesperson clarified that businesses must be selling on the company to be eligible for Amazon Shipping. The company is already known for providing shipping to merchants who utilize its storage and delivery service, Fulfillment by Amazon. However, Amazon Shipping caters to sellers who wish to leverage Amazon’s delivery capabilities while managing their own inventory.

     

    Amazon Shipping, which was previously tested but paused in 2020 due to the surge in pandemic-related orders on the platform, has now been reinstated to support sellers’ order fulfillment needs. Amazon spokesperson Olivia Connors emphasized that the service provides sellers with an additional option for shipping packages quickly and cost-effectively, contributing to enhanced customer service.

     

    Amazon had expanded its logistics operations during the pandemic to accommodate the rising online orders. This expansion led to increased warehouse capacity, but as the pandemic situation eased, Amazon was faced with excess warehouse space. The company responded with strategies such as subleasing, lease terminations, and delaying new construction to optimize its warehousing resources.

     

    Notably, Amazon’s efforts to improve shipping speeds have borne fruit, with over 50% of Prime orders in major US metropolitan areas being delivered within a single day during the second quarter of this year. This highlights Amazon’s commitment to offering faster Prime delivery services to its customers.

     

    In addition to reinstating the company’s Shipping, the company is making changes to its fee structure for third-party merchants. Merchants participating in Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime program will soon be subject to a 2% fee on each sale starting in October, in addition to the existing commission fees they pay to sell products on Amazon’s platform. This fee adjustment has drawn attention, especially as it coincides with looming antitrust concerns surrounding Amazon’s market dominance.

     

    As Amazon resumes its shipping service and introduces fee adjustments for sellers, the e-commerce giant continues to make strategic moves to enhance its logistics operations and maintain its position as a leader in the online retail space.

  • Eicher Partners with Amazon for Electric Trucks

    Eicher Partners with Amazon for Electric Trucks

    In a strategic move aimed at transforming India’s delivery landscape, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), has forged a notable partnership with Amazon. The collaboration marks a significant stride toward electrifying the middle-mile and last-mile delivery operations and for the future of electric trucks for the e-commerce giant within India.

     

    The partnership’s official statement outlines an ambitious agenda: the introduction of up to 1,000 zero-emission electric trucks across various payload categories into Amazon’s dynamic delivery ecosystem within the next five years. These electric vehicles will be seamlessly integrated into Amazon’s delivery operations through the involvement of Amazon’s transport service partners, VE Commercial Vehicles.

     

    As a preliminary step, Amazon is slated to deploy 50 Eicher electric trucks in key hubs such as Delhi, Manesar, and Gurugram in the coming months. This proactive move emphasizes Amazon’s commitment to swift implementation and operationalization of sustainable transportation solutions.

     

    Vinod Aggarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of VECV, underscored the collaborative initiative’s significance in fostering smart and sustainable logistics solutions. He noted, “This partnership reflects our commitment to promoting smart sustainable solutions and developing a zero-emission transport ecosystem.”

     

    Abhinav Singh, Vice-President of Customer Fulfilment, Amazon Transportation Services, Global Specialty Fulfilment, and Supply Chain, reaffirmed Amazon’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint within its delivery operations. He asserted, “We remain committed and are well on our way to integrate 10,000 EVs into our delivery fleet in India by 2025.”

     

    The transformative partnership is underpinned by Eicher’s cutting-edge electric truck technology, fortified by advanced digital capabilities. Leveraging its established electric vehicle platform, which has already demonstrated its prowess in bus applications, Eicher is well-positioned to deliver tailor-made electric trucks.

     

    These electric trucks, with deck lengths ranging from 8 to 24 feet, will offer optimized cargo stacking arrangements. The vehicles will cater to various operational requirements by providing both fast and slow charging alternatives. This approach mirrors Eicher’s dedication to providing comprehensive solutions that encompass diverse operational aspects such as charging infrastructure, battery capacity, charging duration, and energy management strategies.

     

    Meanwhile, Eicher Motors, the parent company of Eicher Trucks and Buses, reported a remarkable consolidated net profit of ₹905.6 crore in the quarter ending March 2023. This figure demonstrates a substantial year-on-year growth of 48.42%. The quarterly revenue for Q4FY32 also witnessed an impressive upswing, standing at ₹3,804.32 crore compared to ₹3,193.32 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This financial robustness further underscores Eicher’s capability to lead innovative transformations in the transportation industry.