Amazon is calling on its corporate workforce in the New York City area to lend a hand in its grocery delivery operations as the company gears up for its annual Prime Day sales event. The request, sent via Slack to thousands of white-collar employees, seeks volunteers to assist with tasks at the company's Amazon Fresh warehouse in Brooklyn.
The appeal for volunteers comes amidst the surge in demand expected during Prime Day, which includes discounts and promotions on Amazon Fresh services. Corporate employees who volunteer will be involved in picking items, preparing grocery orders, packing boxes, and even boosting team morale with snacks. The company emphasizes that this support is optional and aims to connect corporate teams with warehouse operations.
This request for corporate support follows recent cost-cutting measures within Amazon Fresh, including store closures and layoffs. CEO Andy Jassy has spoken about the company's future vision, which includes increased automation through the use of robots and drones in fulfillment and delivery processes. The volunteer program is positioned as a way to optimize efficiency during the peak Prime Day period, while longer term the company is investing heavily in automation.