The financial numbers exposed rising challenges in its two main businesses: e-commerce and cloud-computing services. Management predicted the big slowdown in online sales will last for a while after last year’s pandemic boom. And for Amazon Web Services, an executive admitted the unit was experiencing pricing pressure as evidenced by the nearly 3% percentage point year-over-year drop in its operating profit margin for the business. There’s no wonder investors are feeling anxious.Another tentative foray into retailing isn’t going to alleviate that. Perhaps it would be better for Amazon to focus on its core businesses or true innovation rather than another distraction.

Source: Washington Post August 19, 2021 18:00 UTC