What’s the strategy behind Amazon’s decision to hike monthly Prime membership rates?

Jan 19, 2018
Amazon is raising its monthly Prime membership rate, from $10.99 to $12.99. But the annual membership cost is staying the same, at $99. So what’s the logic here? Is Amazon trying to push more people into becoming annual members? Might the price hike prompt some people to drop the service altogether? What are the pros […]

Amazon has another holiday for you

Dec 28, 2017
Amazon hopes for more spending and subscribers on “Digital Day.” Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Wal-Mart changes tactics to compete with Amazon Prime

Feb 1, 2017
After launching less than a year ago, Wal-Mart is ending ShippingPass, a membership program meant to compete with Amazon Prime. In its place, Wal-Mart will now offer two-day free shipping on purchases over $35. But the company will have a lot of ground to make up as Amazon branches out into markets beyond retail. Click […]

Will Costco lose its valuable members to Amazon Prime?

Sep 29, 2016
Costco's membership fees are a big part of its business.
About 75 percent of Costco's operating income is from its membership fees.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

Amazon adds student loans to its offerings

Jul 21, 2016
A deal with Wells Fargo gives some Prime members a discount on interest rates.
An Amazon warehouse in the U.K.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Amazon launches monthly subscriptions

Apr 18, 2016
Stand-alone video and Prime memberships will have monthly options
A general view of atmosphere at the red carpet premiere screening of Amazon's Original Series 'Mozart in the Jungle.'
Brian Ach/Getty Images for Amazon Studios

For public good, not for profit.

Amazon takes on Google and Apple

Oct 2, 2015
The retailer is giving up a cut of device sales in a plot to rule streaming media.

Behind Amazon's newest venture: music

Aug 14, 2015
The online retailer has launched an experiment that is part album, part playlist.

Ashley Monroe on the business of music

Aug 14, 2015
Drinking champagne and getting a massage? Maybe if you're Beyoncé.