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Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Our top picks of Amazon's early Prime Day deals to get shoppers ready for summer
For those looking to save some money on their summer essentials this year, Amazon is set to hold its highly anticipated Prime Day event next week. With a variety of products across the website getting discounts, bargains hunters will have a field day grabbing all their must-have deals. What's even better is that the retail giant has decided to make their popular sale a four-day event. From July 8 to July 11, shoppers will be able to get their hands on new pieces of tech, fashion, beauty, garden furniture, homeware essentials and so much more for decent prices in this mega sale. However, this extended sale comes with a catch. While shoppers have more days to shop, this doesn't mean that all of the items will remain on sale for the full event. Some shoppers may see prices change over the four days or some deals may end early, reports the Mirror. In addition, shoppers will need to be an Amazon Prime Member to take part in the sale. Members need to spend £8.99 a month for the subscription, but this comes with a variety of perks. Prime members can get next day delivery on thousands of selected items, along with access to Prime Video and Prime Music. For those who are unsure if they want to start up a membership, Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial that shoppers can cancel at any time. Try Amazon Prime for free Amazon isn't the only place that shoppers can get great deals this summer. For those looking for offers on beauty, Lookfantastic and Boots have plenty of deals available, while Boden is also hosting a huge sale across their clothing range. Additionally, for those who enjoy gardening, Yimbly - which is a marketplace owned by the Daily Record's parent company - currently has plenty of garden furniture down to bargain prices. While there is less than a week until Amazon's Prime Day event, the retailer has already decided to treat shoppers by putting some of their summer essentials on an early Prime Day deal. We have collated our top picks from the sale to help shoppers grab some early bargains. Many shoppers have been raving about this desk fan to help tackle the summer heat, with some saying they are willing to ditch their Dyson alternatives. With up to 24 hours of cordless runtime, this fan has a cooling reach of up to 20m. While UV and rain resistant, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors, the fan comes with five speeds, a 180 degree side-to-side oscillation and a 55 degree tilt. Click here to buy the Shark FlexBreeze TableMate Cordless Fan. For those wanting to give their garden a bit of TLC this summer, a quality strimmer is the ideal device to finish up the job. Saving shoppers nearly £30, this strimmer comes with an upgraded 2000mAh lithium battery which can be used for up to an hour. Shoppers will also be given extra batteries so they won't need to suddenly stop half way through a job. The strimmer also comes with three different types of blades in a mixture of plastic and metal. While many of us are delighted that the weather has taken a warmer turn, for those working in offices or constantly commuting, the heat can be a nightmare. To help combat this problem, a neck fan could be a reliable solution. Allowing workers to do their jobs without having to hold a device, this fan comes with three instant cooling modes. The white model is currently £10 off the retail price, but shoppers can also choose between seven other colours for the slightly higher price of £33.97. To avoid standing over a hot iron to get your clothes looking pristine, a handheld steamer can be a quick and easy alternative. With a 60 second heat up time and a 15g steam burst, shoppers will be able to remove wrinkles in an instant. With a 150ml water tank, shoppers can get over 10 minutes of use per tank that will kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. While not the most exciting item to shop for, an expandable hose is certainly a summer essential - especially for those who are wanting to keep their garden in tip top condition. Able to expand to 100ft in seconds, this hose is crafted with a double layer of 100 per cent latex core and is reinforced with 800D webbing. Boasting eight different spray modes, this hose will easily clean your house, car, floor, plants and garden. Apple AirTags are quickly becoming a must-have for frequent travellers so they can keep an eye on their luggage. As one of Amazon's best sellers, the tracker has been bought by over 5,000 people in the last month. Amazon has also reduced the price of multipacks. A pack of two is now £56 (RRP £70), a pack of three is down from £105 to £84, while a pack of four can now be bought for £92 instead of £119. Amazon sells a vast variety of smart watches on its website, from high end brands such as Apple and Samsung to many budget models. For example, shoppers will save £76 on this budget-friendly smart watch. While equipped with Bluetooth to receive calls and texts, this 1.96-inch watch will also track your fitness, steps and sleep. This device also comes with up to seven days of battery life and 30 days of standby time. For those looking for a one-and-done skincare solution, this Olay Super Serum may be the answer. Developed to deliver five skin benefits, your skin will be glowing in time. This serum will provide a better texture, a more even tone, firmer skin, smoother lines and long-lasting hydration for less than half the usual price. Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is , select 'Join Community' and you're in! 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Time Business News
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Cancel Amazon Prime Membership Easily and Avoid Unwanted Charges [2025 Guide]
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular subscription services globally, offering benefits like free two-day shipping, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, exclusive deals, and more. While it's a great value for many, millions of users either forget to use these perks or find that the costs no longer justify the benefits. Others get caught off guard by automatic renewals that lead to unwanted charges. If you're looking to cancel your Amazon Prime membership or simply want to avoid Amazon Prime charges, you're in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, whether you're still in a free trial or a long-time subscriber. There are several valid reasons people choose to cancel their Amazon Prime subscriptions: Underuse of services : You may not be watching Prime Video or ordering enough items to make free shipping worthwhile. : You may not be watching Prime Video or ordering enough items to make free shipping worthwhile. Cost concerns : Subscription fees have risen over time, making the service less appealing for occasional users. : Subscription fees have risen over time, making the service less appealing for occasional users. Better alternatives: Competing services like Netflix, Disney+, or free shipping from other retailers might meet your needs. If you fall into any of these categories, it's smart to evaluate your subscription and deactivate Amazon Prime account features you no longer need. Canceling your Prime membership is easier than you might think. Here's how to do it: Visit and log in using the credentials associated with your Prime subscription. Hover over 'Accounts & Lists' in the top-right corner, then select 'Prime Membership' from the dropdown. Once you're on the Prime Membership page, look for a button that says 'Manage Membership' or 'Update, cancel, and more.' Click 'End Membership' and follow the prompts. Amazon will attempt to convince you to stay, sometimes offering discounts or reminder options. If you're sure about canceling, continue to confirm your choice. This process will remove the Amazon Prime subscription from your account, ensuring you don't get billed in the future. Many users sign up for Amazon Prime's 30-day free trial, intending to cancel before being charged. Here's how you can do that effectively: Follow the same steps above to access your membership page. Look for the 'Do not continue after trial' or 'End Trial' option. Confirm the cancellation. Even after canceling, you'll retain all Prime benefits until the end of your trial period. This ensures you get the full trial experience without risking unexpected charges. Pro Tip: Set a reminder on your phone or calendar a few days before the trial ends. If you're not quite ready to cancel but want to ensure you aren't auto-renewed, follow these steps: Go to your 'Prime Membership' settings. Click on 'Manage Membership.' Choose the 'Don't continue after current period' option. By doing this, you're turning off the Amazon Prime auto-renewal feature, which helps you maintain control over future billing. Once you've ended your membership, here's what to expect: No more Prime benefits : You'll lose access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, free expedited shipping, and other member-only perks. : You'll lose access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, free expedited shipping, and other member-only perks. Refund eligibility : If you haven't used any Prime benefits during your billing cycle, you may be eligible for a prorated refund . : If you haven't used any Prime benefits during your billing cycle, you may be eligible for a . Digital content: Purchased content (e.g., eBooks, movies) remains in your account, but you'll lose access to borrowed content. Also Read About How long does Amazon take to ship To avoid being charged unexpectedly: Set calendar reminders before your billing or trial period ends. before your billing or trial period ends. Use the mobile app to check your subscription status regularly. to check your subscription status regularly. Opt for a monthly plan if you're uncertain about long-term use. if you're uncertain about long-term use. Watch for email reminders Amazon sends before billing. Amazon sends before billing. Use gift cards or temporary payment methods for trial periods. These practices help you stay on top of your subscriptions and prevent unwanted renewals. Canceling your Amazon Prime membership is a quick and effective way to take back control of your finances, especially if you're not fully using the service. Whether you're looking to cancel before the free trial ends, stop auto-renewals, or deactivate your Prime account, this guide ensures you know exactly what to do. Make informed decisions, set reminders, and don't hesitate to revisit Prime later if your needs deserve full control over what you pay for—don't let forgotten subscriptions eat into your budget. For more smart money-saving guides like this, be sure to check out other tips on TIME BUSINESS NEWS TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Tom's Guide
12-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video reportedly doubling the amount of ads you'll see — streaming just got a lot worse
Remember the streaming dream we were sold of unlimited ad-free movies and TV shows compared to the commercial-stuffed days of cable? I'm starting to feel like we bought a lemon, because it appears that Amazon's Prime Video has quietly increased the number of ads on its content. According to a report by Adweek, Prime Video has almost doubled the number of ads on its platform from three-and-a-half minutes per hour to six minutes of commercials in the average 60 minutes of watchtime. That's a big jump. The report sources conversations with ad buyers and documentation seen by Adweek, but has not been officially confirmed by Amazon. In the report, Kendra Tang, programmatic supervisor at Rain the Growth Agency, said, '[Amazon] told us the ad load would be increasing. That's been confirmed recently when we noticed more avails in the system.' I haven't noticed an uptick in the number of ads while streaming on Prime Video. However, this could be due to a slower rollout, or it may be region-specific, with the U.S experiencing a higher frequency and places like the U.K., where I live, spared from what is effectively a user-experience downgrade. Prime Video introduced ads to its previously ad-free platform in January 2024. Rather than creating a cheaper ad-supported plan like some rival services, Amazon opted to include ads on its standard tier and offer users the option of paying an additional $2.99 a month to remove them. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The majority of the best streaming services now run ads on at least one of their tiers, including Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and Paramount Plus. Free streaming services like Tubi also use ads, but in those cases, it feels like a fair trade-off considering you're getting access to loads of movies and shows without paying a cent. Coughing up a subscription fee and tolerating commercial breaks feels significantly less appealing, but this is now streaming in 2025. Currently, a Prime Video subscription costs $14.99 per month, or $139, though this is for the larger suite of benefits included with Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime: for $139/year @ AmazonAmazon Prime gives shoppers access to free shipping on over 100 million products. It also includes access to services like Prime Video and Prime Music. You can pay an annual $139 fee or choose a monthly plan at $14.99. These perks range from free shipping (on Amazon-sold items), and access to services such as Prime Gaming, Amazon Music Unlimited, Amazon Photos and Gruhhub Plus. It's certainly not a bad deal overall. Nevertheless, more ads on Prime Video are hardly welcome, and the cynic in me does have to wonder whether that six-minute per hour ratio will increase further in the months or years to come. If you're looking for something to watch on Prime Video, here's a guide to everything new on the service in June 2025. Unfortunately, you probably will have to tolerate more ads when watching any of these movies or TV shows.
Business Upturn
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Deep dive into Amazon's multifaceted business model
Once dismissed as merely 'the world's biggest bookstore,' Amazon has evolved into a corporate leviathan with tentacles in nearly every aspect of modern commerce. Its influence spans e-commerce, cloud computing, entertainment, logistics, artificial intelligence, advertising, and even healthcare. As of 2025, Amazon is not just a retail platform; it is a digital ecosystem that powers a substantial chunk of the global internet economy. With more than 300 million active users, over 1.5 million third-party sellers, and a market cap routinely flirting with the trillion-dollar mark, Amazon's business model is not just diverse, it's foundational to how online business is conducted. This article dissects Amazon's expansive business model, analyzing how it integrates infrastructure, data, customer loyalty, and innovation into a self-reinforcing profit engine. We explore each revenue stream, uncover the synergies that make Amazon unique, and assess the future trajectory of one of the most influential companies in history. Amazon's Business Model: The Fulcrum of the Flywheel Amazon's retail empire still forms the backbone of its revenue, generating hundreds of billions annually. But the company does not operate like a traditional retailer. Instead, its e-commerce platform operates more like a digital marketplace, leveraging data to match consumers with products—whether sold by Amazon directly or by third-party vendors. First-party sales are those in which Amazon acts as a retailer, purchasing goods wholesale and reselling them. While these generate direct revenue, margins are often thin. More lucrative are third-party sales, where Amazon provides a platform, logistics, and payment infrastructure while collecting referral fees, which can range from 6% to 45% depending on the category. This dual system lets Amazon capture value from virtually every transaction on its platform while avoiding the overhead of inventory management for a majority of products. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) FBA is a cornerstone of Amazon's e-commerce dominance. Sellers ship inventory to Amazon warehouses, and the company handles storage, packing, shipping, returns, and customer service. This not only increases Prime-eligible listings but also reinforces loyalty by offering consumers faster, more reliable delivery. FBA revenue includes fees from storage and fulfillment, further boosting Amazon's margins while creating logistical dependence among sellers. Amazon Prime: Loyalty as a Business Model At the heart of Amazon's recurring revenue strategy is Amazon Prime, a subscription service that now boasts more than 200 million members worldwide. For an annual or monthly fee, members receive perks such as free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, Prime Video, Prime Music, and early access to sales. Prime is not just a loyalty program; it's a behavioral engine. Subscribers tend to shop more frequently, spend more per transaction, and explore Amazon's broader ecosystem. The subscription fees alone generate billions annually, but the real value lies in lifetime customer value and reduced churn. Amazon Web Services (AWS): The Profit Business Model While retail generates volume, AWS generates profits. Launched in 2006, Amazon Web Services provides cloud computing infrastructure, storage, databases, machine learning tools, and analytics for startups, enterprises, and governments. AWS contributes a disproportionately high percentage of Amazon's operating income, often exceeding 70% in a given quarter. Its margins are exceptionally high compared to retail, and its clientele includes some of Amazon's fiercest retail rivals, such as Netflix, Walmart, and Target. The cloud division gives Amazon the financial flexibility to invest aggressively in logistics, hardware, AI, and global expansion. It also provides valuable data and AI capabilities that feed back into the rest of the business. Advertising: Amazon's Quiet Juggernaut in Business Model Amazon has stealthily become the third-largest digital advertising platform in the world, trailing only Google and Meta. Its ad business is based on search and display advertising within its ecosystem, targeting users based on purchase history, search behavior, and demographic data. Brands pay to appear in search results, product pages, and through display ads on Amazon-owned properties like IMDb and Twitch. Sponsored listings on Amazon often have higher conversion rates than ads on social media, making them highly valuable. Amazon's ad revenues surpassed $40 billion in 2024, with margins rivaling those of its cloud division. Amazon's Business Model: Logistics and Supply Chain Unlike many tech companies, Amazon is deeply involved in the physical world. Its vast network of fulfillment centers, last-mile delivery vans, cargo planes, and even ocean freight services make it one of the largest logistics companies globally. Amazon increasingly bypasses traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS, using its own delivery service, Amazon Logistics, to handle the bulk of U.S. and international shipments. This not only reduces costs but gives Amazon end-to-end control over the customer experience. Warehouses use robots to sort and move packages, drones are being tested for last-mile delivery, and AI algorithms manage inventory and routing. These technologies reduce labor costs and delivery times, enhancing Amazon's competitive edge. Amazon's Business Model: Echo, Alexa, and Beyond Amazon has made significant investments in hardware, including the Echo smart speaker, Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, and the Ring doorbell system. While device margins are slim, their strategic value is immense. These products serve as data collection endpoints, interfaces for Alexa voice services, and platforms for upselling Amazon services. Voice commerce, smart home automation, and IoT integration are all key areas Amazon is aiming to dominate. Amazon's Business Model: The Prime Video Strategy Prime Video is more than a streaming service; it's a customer acquisition tool. Amazon invests billions in original content, live sports rights, and global expansion not just to compete with Netflix but to enhance the value of Prime. The content ecosystem feeds into Amazon's hardware (Fire TV), cloud (AWS hosts video content), and advertising (ad-supported tiers and pre-roll ads). It's a strategic loss leader that reinforces customer stickiness. Amazon's Business Model: Healthcare, Groceries, and the Next Frontiers Amazon has made aggressive moves into healthcare and grocery retail. With the acquisition of One Medical and PillPack, the company aims to simplify primary care, pharmacy services, and telehealth. In grocery, Amazon acquired Whole Foods and launched Amazon Fresh. These serve both as physical retail footprints and hubs for faster delivery of perishable goods. These ventures are still in their early monetization stages, but they reflect Amazon's ambitions to be the default service provider for essential life needs. Amazon's Business Model: The Algorithmic Moat Amazon collects more data than perhaps any other retailer: search behavior, purchase history, delivery preferences, reviews, and even interactions with Alexa. This data powers: Personalized recommendations Dynamic pricing algorithms Inventory forecasting Fraud detection This creates an algorithmic moat, making it exceedingly difficult for competitors to replicate the seamless customer experience Amazon provides. Amazon's Business Model: Environmental and Regulatory Considerations Amazon's growth has attracted regulatory scrutiny worldwide. Antitrust lawsuits in the U.S. and EU allege monopolistic practices. Labor practices at warehouses have faced criticism. Environmental groups scrutinize its carbon footprint. In response, Amazon launched the 'Climate Pledge' to become net-zero carbon by 2040 and is investing in electric delivery fleets and sustainable packaging. Amazon's Business Model is Built for Ubiquity Amazon's business model is a masterclass in strategic diversification and integration. Each division feeds the other: retail drives Prime; Prime drives loyalty; AWS funds innovation; data fuels advertising; logistics ensures speed; and devices anchor customers in the ecosystem. It's not just a company, it's a platform, a logistics network, a media empire, and a cloud powerhouse rolled into one. The genius of Amazon's model lies in its flywheel effect. As each component gains momentum, it amplifies the power of the whole. In an era where digital monopolies face constant disruption, Amazon remains not only resilient but revolutionary. Whether it will maintain its dominance or face significant backlash from regulators and consumers remains to be seen. But for now, the empire that delivers shows no signs of slowing down. (Business Upturn does not guarantee the accuracy of information in this article)
Los Angeles Times
14-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Bill Ackman's Pershing raises $1.4 billion in Universal Music Group stake sale
A group of Universal Music Group shareholders affiliated with billionaire Bill Ackman's hedge fund Pershing Square raised more than $1.4 billion from the sale of a 2.7% stake in the world's largest music company. Pershing Square priced an offering of about 50 million Universal Music shares, according to terms of the deal seen by Bloomberg on Friday. The placement comes as Taylor Swift's record label plans a U.S. share sale agreed in order to fulfill an agreement with Pershing Square, the company said in January. The deal required that Ackman's firm sell $500 million of its shares in connection with a U.S. listing, according to a post on Ackman's X account at the time. Universal Music is Pershing's largest position and will be about 17% of the portfolio after the sale, Ackman wrote in an X post on Thursday. 'We believe UMG is one of the best businesses we have ever owned,' Ackman said. Shares of Universal Music dropped as much as 11% in Amsterdam and pared this year's gains to about 2%. Universal Music reported sales that topped analysts' estimates in the fourth quarter, boosted by growth from subscriptions to streaming platforms. Executives have focused on winning new subscribers on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon's Prime Music by converting listeners on free, ad-supported streaming tiers to paid premium subscriptions. The company's top-selling artists of the fourth quarter were Swift, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, as well as the soundtrack to 'Wicked.' Morgan Stanley worked on the Amsterdam share sale, the terms showed. Gopinath and Jacob write from Bloomberg. With assistance from Andre Janse Van Vuuren
