Amazon Layoffs: A fresh wave of layoffs is set to hit the United States as more than 100 major employers have filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices, signaling job cuts beginning in January. The filings point to continued instability in the labor market as companies enter the new year focused on cost reduction and restructuring.
Under the WARN Act, businesses with 100 or more employees are required to provide at least 60 days’ notice before carrying out mass layoffs or shutting down operations. Data compiled by WARNTracker.com shows that the latest notices span a wide range of industries, including technology, retail, finance, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
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Amazon Layoffs Expected to Impact Thousands
Among the most closely watched developments are Amazon layoffs, which are expected to affect between 1,001 and 2,500 employees starting in January. The tech and e-commerce giant has been steadily trimming its workforce as part of an efficiency drive linked to automation and artificial intelligence investments.
Logistics powerhouse FedEx has also indicated plans to reduce staffing levels in early 2026, adding to concerns that job cuts are spreading beyond tech into transportation and supply chain sectors.
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Major Brands Join the Layoff List
Several other well-known companies have submitted WARN notices, highlighting how widespread the slowdown has become. These include:
- Verizon
- McDonald’s
- Nike
- Wells Fargo
- Spirit Airlines
- Louis Vuitton
- H&M
- Nordstrom
- Marshalls
- Mattel
- General Motors
- Warner Music Group
The growing list suggests that no single industry is immune from workforce reductions.
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Rising Unemployment Pressure
The announcements come at a time of mounting pressure for American workers. According to federal labor data released in late December 2025, nearly 199,000 people filed new unemployment claims in a single week, a figure often viewed as an early warning sign of broader labor market stress.
2025 Marked a Difficult Year for Workers
Layoffs have been accelerating for much of the past year. Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that U.S. employers announced approximately 1.17 million job cuts through November 2025, representing a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This marked the highest annual total since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Why Companies Are Cutting Jobs
Experts say the current wave of layoffs reflects a combination of short-term cost control and long-term structural changes. The rise of AI, automation, and digital transformation has reduced the need for certain roles, particularly in corporate and administrative functions.
In the case of Amazon layoffs, the company has previously acknowledged eliminating thousands of corporate positions as part of a broader shift toward AI-driven operations and efficiency gains.
Economists also point to uncertainty around interest rates, global demand, and shareholder expectations as key factors influencing corporate decisions. Many companies are prioritizing profitability and investor confidence over workforce expansion.
Outlook for 2026
As January begins, thousands of employees nationwide are preparing for job losses. With WARN notices continuing to roll in and unemployment claims remaining elevated, analysts warn that labor market volatility may persist well into 2026.
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