Amazon has notified third-party sellers that it will only continue stocking essential items in its warehouses until April 5, due to demand generated by concerns over the coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Amazon, according to a report by Yahoo Finance, has listed six categories that will qualify for continued stocking at its numerous warehouses, where it fulfils deliveries for third-party sellers on its behalf for a fee. The only items allowed into its warehouses will be baby products, health and household items, beauty and personal care, grocery, industrial and scientific, and pet supplies.
This means that stock for any items outside of those categories cannot be replenished until Amazon lifts the restriction. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to order anything else right now, but stock will be limited until then. Amazon notes that it is applying this to its first-party products as well.
Third-party sellers can still ship stock to customers directly, bypassing the need to store it in Amazon’s warehouses and have delivery fulfilled by the company. This could likely result in slower shipping times, if sellers decide to go this route at all.
Amazon have already announced the hiring of an additional 100,000 workers to help meet demand in its warehouses as more consumers order items from home while in self-isolation. The spread of the virus has had a massive impact on both the gaming and entertainment industries too, with multiple events already cancelled.