By now, you in all probability know that it could be a bit tough to purchase all of the presents you need for the vacations this yr. It’s one of many penalties of residing by means of a worldwide provide chain disaster. But Amazon, one of many world’s greatest on-line retailers, isn’t letting that or a spread of different elements get in the way in which of its peak season. Its answer: buckets of billions.

In a news release asserting its third quarter outcomes on Thursday, Amazon stated it had made “extraordinary investments” throughout the corporate to fulfill buyer wants through the pandemic—and it’s not performed spending. The firm will dish out “several billion dollars” within the final quarter of the yr—a interval encompassing the week earlier than Black Friday by means of Christmas, which is usually its peak season—with a view to mitigate potential transport delays and inventory points.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated the corporate had at all times prioritized what was finest for patrons within the long-term over short-term income.

“In the fourth quarter, we expect to incur several billion dollars of additional costs in our Consumer business as we manage through labor supply shortages, increased wage costs, global supply chain issues, and increased freight and shipping costs—all while doing whatever it takes to minimize the impact on customers and selling partners this holiday season,” Jassy stated in an announcement.

“It’ll be expensive for us in the short term, but it’s the right prioritization for our customers and partners,” he added.

Jassy’s made his feedback on Amazon’s future spending plans on the identical day the corporate introduced lackluster third quarter outcomes. Its working earnings decreased to $4.9 billion, in comparison with $6.2 billion within the third quarter final yr. Meanwhile, web earnings decreased to $3.2 billion. It was $6.3 billion within the third quarter of 2020.

The international provide chain disaster is anticipated to trigger transport delays—that are decided by a myriad of things, from container shortages and overwhelmed ports to pure disasters and an absence truck drivers and warehouse staff, amongst others—and have an effect on product availability.

Recent information from Adobe Analytics counsel that out-of-stock messages on-line will improve by as much as 172% this vacation season in comparison with 2020, CNBC reported. The most affected product classes are anticipated to be attire, sporting items, child merchandise, and electronics.

While I perceive that presents are an necessary a part of the vacations, as an alternative of specializing in getting individuals extra stuff they in all probability don’t want, it will be higher to direct our efforts—and any buckets of billions—on ensuring we now have inexpensive entry to issues what all of us want, comparable to meals and different necessities. But hey, that’s not what the vacations are about, so who cares, proper?