Amazon has told staff they have to come into the office five days a week as it announces this year’s Prime Big Deal Days.

In a memo to staff, Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy said he felt “good about the progress” the company is making, but has ultimately decided that “we’re going to return to being in the office the way we were before the onset of Covid”.

He added that strengthening the culture remains a “top priority” for the team and that coming back to the office full time will help staff “invent, collaborate and be better connected”.

The changes will come into force from January 2 to allow staff to make adjustments for full-time office working.

Jassy continued: “When we look back over the last five years, we continue to believe that the advantages of being together in the office are significant.

“I’ve previously explained these benefits, but in summary, we’ve observed that it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and teams tend to be better connected to one another.

“If anything, the last 15 months we’ve been back in the office at least three days a week has strengthened our conviction about the benefits.

“I’m optimistic that these changes will better help us accomplish these goals while strengthening our culture and the effectiveness of our teams.”

Prime deals return

In addition to the return-to-office announcement, Amazon is bringing its Prime Big Deal Days back in October.

Running from October 8-9, Prime members will have exclusive access to early holiday savings from top brands in categories such as seasonal products, home essentials, toys and more.

The 48-hour event will also offer deals on Halloween products, beauty and fashion brands such as Clinique, Cider and Too Faced, and electronics from brands including Beats, Samsung and Fujifilm.

Prime Big Deal Days will come to Turkey for the first time and Prime members in Japan will be able to shop the event later in October.

The Sale event will also be available to Prime members in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US.

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