People are boycotting Amazon [Amazon.com, Inc.](javascript:void(0)) for a mix of ethical, political, and economic reasons, and different groups emphasize different issues.
Labor and workplace issues
Many critics point to reports of harsh warehouse conditions, intense productivity quotas, and pressure on delivery drivers, which they say create unsafe or exploitative work environments. There are also accusations of union- busting and wage-related disputes, which lead some people to avoid shopping there as a show of solidarity with workers.
Corporate power and monopoly concerns
Amazon is often described as having a near-monopolistic position in online retail, which smaller businesses and activists argue hurts independent shops and local economies. Some campaigns say boycotts are a way to push back against the company’s market dominance and its influence over supply chains and pricing.
Tax, environment, and overconsumption
Ethical shopping groups have long criticized Amazon for aggressive tax strategies that they say deprive governments of public revenue. Others focus on packaging waste, emissions from rapid delivery logistics, and how one-click shopping and constant sales encourage overconsumption and disposable buying habits.
Political donations and DEI backlash
Recent boycotts are also tied to politics: some organizers object to large donations linked to the Trump administration and to perceived corporate “greed” in supporting policies they oppose. In 2025, several coordinated boycotts targeted Amazon in response to rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and tariff-related decisions, framing consumer spending as leverage against those moves.
What that means for you
In practice, “we” are not all boycotting for a single reason; individual people and groups pick one or more of these issues—labor rights, monopoly power, tax ethics, environmental impact, or politics—and decide that not shopping at Amazon aligns better with their values. If you are deciding what to do personally, it may help to clarify which of these concerns matter most to you and then look for alternative retailers or local options that better match those priorities.
