Amazon has laid off employees from its Books division, including teams working on Goodreads and Kindle. Fewer than 100 employees have reportedly been impacted in this latest round of job cuts, the fourth by the company in 2025.
The tech giant, which famously began as an online bookstore, is continuing to streamline its operations across various units.
The job cuts are expected to improve efficiency and align internal functions more closely with business goals. This development follows earlier cuts in other areas, including Amazon’s devices and services unit, its Wondery podcast division, and the communications department.
In January 2025, the company began cutting roles in its communications wing to speed up operations and reinforce its focus on customer needs. February saw downsizing at Wondery, followed by another round in April affecting around 100 employees in the devices team. These layoffs are part of Amazon’s effort to simplify its internal structure.
Beyond the small-scale cuts, Amazon is also gearing for a significant reduction in managerial roles later this year. Around 14,000 management positions—roughly 13 per cent of the global managerial workforce—are expected to be eliminated. This initiative is part of CEO Andy Jassy’s strategy to flatten the organisation, reduce bureaucracy, and cut costs.
Despite the layoffs, Amazon’s overall headcount rose slightly in Q1 2025, with an increase of about 4,000 employees compared to the end of 2024. The company continues to recalibrate its workforce as it adapts to changing business dynamics and seeks to operate with greater agility.
