Amazon to Shut Down ‘Explore’ Virtual Tour Product in Latest Cut
(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. is shutting down a virtual tour feature called “Amazon Explore,” which was launched during the pandemic, in the latest belt-tightening move by the online giant as it adjusts to slowing sales.
Most Read from Bloomberg
A Tense Pay Dispute Overshadows Nintendo’s Upcoming Bayonetta 3
Blinken Says China Wants to Seize Taiwan on ‘Much Faster Timeline’
Putin’s War Escalation Is Hastening Demographic Crash for Russia
“At Amazon, we are always experimenting and testing ideas like Amazon Explore,” the company said Wednesday in a statement. “While we are winding down this program, we’ll continue innovating and investing in new ways to delight our customers. We are supporting our affected employees during this transition and working to identify other opportunities within Amazon.”
Amazon launched Explore in 2020, targeting those suffering cabin fever during pandemic lockdowns. Users could pay $7.50 for a 50-minute guided tour of sites such as an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica or $50 for an hourlong virtual stroll through the markets of Venice.
Amazon has been trimming experimental programs to reduce costs. Among the features or products that have been curtailed or canceled are Scout, an autonomous delivery robot and Amazon Glow, a kids-focused video calling device. The company has also frozen hiring for its corporate retail teams and is winding down Amazon Care, its startup telehealth service.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
A Digital Drive to Reform the $11 Trillion Global Gold Market
Exxon’s Exodus: Employees Have Finally Had Enough of Its Toxic Culture
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.