What: With a new mobile-only shopping platform, Amazon is leaning into haul culture in what’s widely seen as a bid to compete with Shein and Temu.

Why it is important: Social media hauls are widely credited with accelerating the rise of both ultra-fast fashion and a culture of overconsumption driven by low-cost, high volume shopping.

The platform, launched in beta, sells products including fashion with “ultra-low prices”. The model is largely similar to Shein and Temu - ship products directly from China with typical delivery times of one to two weeks. This will also allow Amazon to make use of the ‘de minimus’ shipping regulation that allows companies to ship packages valued at less than USD 800 into the US duty-free and with less scrutiny from customs.

Amazon says that it will continue to focus on its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. It reported reaching its goal of 100 per cent renewable energy, seven years ahead of its 2030 target; that includes global operations such as energy-intensive data centres, but not supply chain (Scope 3) emissions — which is where most of a garment’s carbon footprint is generated.

Amazon confirms fashion hauls aren’t going anywhere