Staff Report
The Amazon Fulfillment Center in Hebron will be on high alert on Cyber Monday, as the company is anticipating its busiest holiday ever.
In fact, Amazon’s total net sales are expected to be between $33.50-$36.65 billion — or 14-15 percent more than fourth quarter 2014.
At the Hebron facility there are miles and miles of an intricate network of speeding conveyer belts, thousands of busy employees, massive packaging and shipping machines and several football fields of managed chaos — all prepared for the onslaught that is holiday shopping.
Amazon Spokesperson Katie McFadzean answered these question for NKyTribune:
How is Amazon preparing for the coming holiday gift-buying season?
McFadzean: This holiday season, shoppers will find plenty of new programs and gifts ideas on Amazon.
· We recently announced that starting November 20 through 27, we will add new deals as often as every five minutes. (Additional info, can be found in our press release.
· Early access to more deals for Prime members — Prime members can access more than 30,000 Lightning Deals 30-minutes early and all customers will find tens of thousands of deals on more of the items they want.
· New Amazon devices like the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick both with Alexa voice integration and new Fire tablets, including Fire which has the best display on any tablet under $50 and is also available for an even lower price when purchased in a six-pack
· New categories to shop such as Handmade at Amazon (amazon.com/handmade), featuring genuinely handmade products sold directly from the Artisans who make them, and Amazon Launchpad (amazon.com/launchpad), featuring the latest innovations from up-and-coming startups.
· Our new “Watch a Deal” feature allows holiday shoppers to pick the deals they’re most excited about and receive a notification to their desktop or mobile device when the deal is live.
How many seasonal jobs have you had to fill?
MacFadzean: We recently announced that we are creating 100,000 seasonal positions across our U.S. network of fulfillment and sortation centers this holiday season in order to meet the increase in customer demand. In the months leading up to this holiday season, Amazon has also hired tens of thousands of regular, full-time employees.
The positions will pick, pack and ship customer orders. In addition to competitive wages, employees are immediately eligible for comprehensive benefits that include health insurance, 401(k) with 50 percent match, bonuses, company stock awards and a network of support to ensure employees succeed.
Amazon has hired thousands of seasonal employees throughout Kentucky. Interested candidates can also apply online at www.workatamazonfulfillment.com.
On average, seasonal associates earn 95 percent of Amazon permanent starting wages.
Are you fully staffed for the volume or are you still hiring?
MacFadzean: Still hiring.
What are some of your “hot deals of the day” and how do you share them with consumers?
MacFadzean: recently announced our Black Friday deals, with new deals every five minutes November 20 through November 27.
Cyber Monday is the kick-off to the season — but what do you expect will be the peak period?
Cyber Monday was our peak shopping day last year and we’re expecting a busy day this year.
In fact, this year we believe will be our best holiday season ever.
Do you see a lot of last-minute buying?
MacFadzean: We’re already busy and we expect to be busy throughout the holiday season.
What are usually your top-sellers?
MacFadzean: and toys items tend to top most holiday wish lists, and 2015 is no exception.
Is there one “hot item” you expect to be on most shopping lists?
MacFadzean: and toys items tend to top most holiday wish lists, and 2015 is no exception. This year, top trends within Electronics and Toys include:
Movie Favorites: There is a ton of excitement around Star Wars this year, with products like the Star Wars Jedi Master Yoda Toy and Play-Doh Star Wars Millennium Falcon already big hits with customers. In addition, with the blockbuster success of Jurassic World and holiday release of Disney’s Good Dinosaur, we are seeing interest in dinosaur toys like the Playskool Heroes Jurassic World Dino Tracker, and WowWee MiP Robot Miposaur.
High-Tech, Low Budget: Tech gear is always at the top of shopping lists, and this year, customers can give tech gifts without paying a premium. Amazon has plenty of affordable gadgets including the all-new fire tablet, portable speakers from JAM, and headphones from Panasonic and Audio-Technica, all under $100.