The Amazon Impact

Shipping effects everything and everyone, from the global economy to your morning breakfast. Its importance is often overlooked by the everyday consumer and most definitely by the independent self-sustaining individuals. Shipping is needed to support nations by importing and exporting goods, boosting economies, and creating employment opportunities. Not only does it help a nation thrive, but it also connects international countries that allow different people and cultures to be explored. In the modern world, a large part of the shipping industry is affected by e-commerce. With e-commerce rapidly growing and giving no indications of slowing down industries began finding more effective ways to ship.

This is when Amazon took the world by storm. Amazon was founded in July of 1994 by Jeff Bezos. Starting out in just his garage, it has changed the way consumers shop. It has adopted the name “The Everything Store” because of its inventory's wide range of products. Along with the seemingly endless amount of products Amazon offers, international and two-day shipping is among a customer's choices. It was the catalyst for other industries to try and adopt Amazon's practices.

With the industry becoming more flexible for consumers, it has brought several changes to the shipping industry. Industries began to find ways to effectively ship small orders and products so that it would not be so costly. The reason it was so costly was because of the charge by weight system but companies found solutions through a new model known as the dimensional weight model. This model then became the standard for the shipping industry. Non-traditional shipments are one factor Amazon had everyone beat on. They made it an option for the consumer to have an item delivered on what we consider our universal rest day, Sunday. By doing so they caused even more customer satisfaction.

There is also a generational aspect. Where you now have a generation that has been raised with smartphones that provide immediate access to their wants and needs. This caused a riptide effect making people crave this perceived instant gratification. The result of this is the need for quicker and more efficient shipping. People that could realistically wait a week or two for their item are paying more and doing what is necessary to get an item as soon as the next day.

With all the logistics of shipping such as traffic, severe weather, and potential personnel issues, it is no surprise that someone thought of using drones. When Amazon first released their plans to use drones to deliver packages the United States went crazy, listing all the ways this was a bad idea. But with Amazon being the leader of the e-commerce industry, other companies have started their footing into the drone idea. Taking up the technological advancements to keep up with Amazon and to stay a relevant source for the consumer in the future.

Amazon has continued to dominate the e-commerce world and with it, on a steadily increasing pace, other companies will follow their lead. For one company to cause such a global impact is remarkable. Not only did they change the face of the shipping industry, but they provided and created so many new and challenging opportunities that have caused people to think more effective. Although the shipping industry is not broken Amazon is helping pave the way for a more productive and consumer-friendly way.