In stark contrast to Walmart, Amazon CEO stated that tariffs have not affected consumer spending

As the wave of tariffs from Trump sweeps through the U.S. retail industry, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that there are currently no signs of consumers tightening their wallets due to tariffs.

On May 21, at the annual shareholder meeting, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company has not seen any signs of consumers tightening their wallets in the context of Trump's comprehensive tariffs. During the Q&A session, Jassy stated:

So far, we have not seen any signs of demand weakening, nor have we seen a trend of rising average selling prices.

This statement is particularly noteworthy because Amazon previously listed "tariffs and trade policies" as one of the factors that could affect its current quarterly performance forecast in its most recent financial report. Analysts pointed out that at least in the short term, Amazon's diversified supply chain and scale advantages may help it withstand some of the tariff pressures. As of Wednesday's market close, Amazon followed the broader market trend and fell 1.35%.

Retail Giants' Strategies Vary

In stark contrast to competitors like Walmart and Target, which have begun warning of price increases, Amazon seems to be leveraging its vast third-party seller ecosystem and proactive inventory strategies to buffer against tariff impacts.

Jassy revealed that Amazon has adopted an aggressive inventory management strategy, the company has made "some strategic advance inventory purchases" to stock up on goods and is "extremely focused" on keeping prices low for consumers. This may explain why Amazon has been able to temporarily avoid price pressure, although how long this advantage will last remains uncertain.

Wall Street Journal previously reported that Walmart warned last week that consumers might start seeing price increases due to tariffs later this month and in June. This quickly drew Trump's ire, urging the company to "absorb the tariffs." Meanwhile, Target indicated on Wednesday that it may need to raise prices on certain items, while Home Depot stated it expects to maintain current price levels.

Amazon's unique business model may also help it withstand some tariff pressures.

Jassy mentioned that some third-party sellers (who account for about 60% of sales on the Amazon platform) have raised prices on certain items, while others have chosen to keep prices stable. Jassy stated:

I believe the diversity and scale of our marketplace truly help customers have the best selection and the best prices.

This diverse seller base may provide Amazon with greater flexibility, allowing it to better manage overall price levels under tariff pressure It is worth noting that before the Q&A session of the shareholders' meeting, Amazon investors heard eight external proposals concerning the company's emissions reporting, warehouse working conditions, and the impact of data centers on the climate.

All of these resolutions that Amazon recommended investors vote against were rejected, and the specific voting results are expected to be announced shortly after the meeting concludes