Black Friday sales: Amazon glitch could leave thousands of products out of stock
BLACK Friday sales and Christmas shoppers could be hit as an Amazon glitch causes low stocks.
Amazon's website could be short of stock due to a glitch
A computer problem on the internet giant’s website has left some retailers short on cash and unable to buy new stock.
The majority of products sold on Amazon are sold by independent retailers but some are experiencing cash flow problems leaving them struggling to restock ahead of the busy Christmas period.
One retailer told The Sun: “I am nearly £15,000 out of pocket when we are buying in for the December rush. If it continues, Amazon will be very low on products this Christmas.”
Another said: “I think Black Friday could be badly affected.”
Usually, retailers are automatically sent money every two weeks by Amazon, but the system is not currently working for affected retailers.
Amazon expert Jordan Malik said: “If the sellers left in droves, it would not surprise me if, as a last resort, Amazon starts shipping items from US warehouses to UK warehouses.”
Black Friday CHAOS on Oxford Street
I think Black Friday could be badly affected
The giant has already launched its online Black Friday Deals Store in the build up to the shopping extravaganza.
Amazon said: “We are working to resolve this matter quickly for the small number of sellers affected.”
The Black Friday 2017 bonanza is just a few weeks away and this year could be bigger than ever.
The glitch means some retailers are not getting payments from the website
The deals are likely to begin soon with the best offers hitting shelves, and going live online, on Friday November 24.
Over the past few years, Black Friday has become a major shopping event with retailers such as Tesco, Argos, Amazon, Currys and John Lewis all slashing prices on hundreds of items.
Black Friday will sees shoppers flocking to Amazon in search of deals ahead of Christmas
In fact, it is so popular many Brits now hold off buying big ticket items until the Black Friday sales begin.
A study by TopCashback.co.uk, found that nearly half of UK consumers waited until November last year before spending their money.
More than a quarter had been holding-off since August, 19 per cent since July, and one in 20 had even been biding their time since April.