Amazon Stops Storing Non-Essential Items In Its Warehouses

During this global health crisis, everyone is doing their bit to help slow down the spread of the new coronavirus. Amazon recently announced that the company is suspending shipments of “nonessential products” to its warehouses in Europe and the US. The move went into action on March 16th and stands until April 5th.

Items banned from Amazon’s warehouses include are grocery, baby products, beauty and personal care, industrial and scientific, and pet supplies.

This means third-party sellers of non-essential items could find it difficult to ship orders to customers. The company is trying to make room for other important items that people need during this time of crisis.

Amazon told the BBC: “We are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so we can more quickly receive, restock, and deliver these products to customers. We understand this is a change for our selling partners and appreciate their understanding.”

Order volume has increased around the world since the new coronavirus outbreak and this has put more stress on the company’s workers. Amazon announced on Monday that it would be hiring 100,000 new workers and increasing wages in the U.S. by $2 an hour, through the end of April.