Amazon has laid off fewer than 100 employees from its Books division, including teams working on Goodreads and Kindle, marking the company’s fourth round of job cuts in 2025.
The tech giant, which originally launched as an online bookstore, is continuing efforts to streamline operations across various units to improve efficiency and better align internal functions with business objectives.
Earlier layoffs in 2025 affected Amazon’s devices and services unit, the Wondery podcast division, and the communications department. January saw cuts in communications roles aimed at speeding up operations and enhancing customer focus. In February, downsizing hit Wondery, followed by a reduction of about 100 employees in the devices team in April.
These measures form part of Amazon’s broader strategy to simplify its organisational structure. Later this year, the company plans a significant reduction in managerial roles, with approximately 14,000 management positions—about 13% of its global managerial workforce—set to be cut. This move aligns with CEO Andy Jassy’s vision to flatten the organisation, cut bureaucracy, and reduce costs.
Despite these layoffs, Amazon’s overall headcount increased slightly in Q1 2025, adding around 4,000 employees compared to the end of 2024. The company continues to recalibrate its workforce to adapt to evolving business needs and maintain agility.
