Report: Amazon sets Prime Day for Oct. 13-14

An internal Amazon email reportedly indicates the e-tail giant will hold the 2020 edition of its Prime Day online sales extravaganza in mid-October.

According to The Verge, the email says Amazon will hold a 48-hour Prime Day event Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Wednesday, Oct. 14, with an official announcement on Sunday, Sept. 27. On July 21, Amazon publicly announced it would hold Prime Day “later than usual.” Reports have been circulating for several months that the online giant was postponing Prime Day as it worked to keep up with increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure worker safety. 

A separate corporate email reportedly informed warehouse workers they cannot make any new vacation requests for the week of Oct. 13-20. An Amazon spokesperson told The Verge customers should “stay tuned” for details and can ask Alexa personal devices for Prime Day information. The Verge also reports that CPG company Braun recently posted and then removed several online promotions for “mid-October” Prime Day deals on its products.

“This year’s Prime Day has the makings to be one of Amazon's most successful,” said Sara Spivey, chief marketing officer of CRM technology provider Braze. “Consumers have shifted to digital channels, with 83% of consumers saying they will shop online the same or more post-COVID-19. Delaying Prime Day means it will hit right at the beginning of this holiday shopping season, potentially moving in on Cyber Monday’s slice of the holiday pie. With economic uncertainty looming over consumers, the coveted deals of Prime Day will mark the new unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.”