Observed Signal · Apr 28, 2023 · Hiring · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Salesforce and Amazon Cut Thousands of Jobs
Salesforce plans to reduce about 10% of its workforce, affecting more than 7,000 employees, with some offices in certain markets set to close. CEO Marc Benioff cited a challenging environment and over-hiring during the Covid-19 pandemic, noting a more cautious customer buying pattern. The company expects restructuring costs of $1.4–$2.1 billion, to be incurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Separately, Amazon announced plans to cut more than 18,000 jobs, extending a wave of layoffs that already included around 10,000 positions announced previously; this marks the largest layoff in Amazon’s history and now includes European staff. The piece places the actions in the context of inflation, a potential recession, and cooling advertising demand, referencing broader tech layoffs. It also notes historic headcount figures: Amazon employed 1.62 million in Q1 2022, declining to 1.54 million by September of the following year.
Major high-profile layoffs at Salesforce and Amazon with potential broad impact on the tech and advertising ecosystems.
Track Salesforce Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Salesforce plans to lay off about 10% of its workforce, affecting more than 7,000 employees.
- Salesforce will close offices in certain markets.
- Salesforce restructuring costs are expected to be between $1.4B and $2.1B, booked in Q4 FY2023.
- Amazon to cut more than 18,000 jobs, including Europe; largest layoff in company history.
- Amazon headcount was 1.62 million in Q1 2022 and around 1.54 million by September (year not explicitly stated in article).
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Amazon Cuts Jobs in Retail Stores Division
Amazon is eliminating a small number of roles in its Stores business, impacting hundreds of employees. The company said it is adjusting its team structures to better deliver on priorities, but declined to specify affected roles. This follows Amazon's announcement in October 2025 to reduce its corporate workforce by about 14,000 roles. Despite a 15% year-over-year increase in Q2 online store net sales to about $70.4 billion, Amazon is increasingly focusing on high-growth areas like Amazon Web Services, whose Q2 net sales jumped 37% to just over $42 billion.
Amazon layoffs deepen amid AI-driven restructuring
Amazon conducted multiple large rounds of layoffs in 2026, including roughly 16,000 employees in late January and earlier cuts, part of the company’s broader downsizing that totals more than 57,000 roles since 2022. Former employees interviewed described difficulty finding work in a crowded job market reshaped by AI, with many roles automated or reallocated to fund AI investments. Consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported the tech sector has cut about 140,000 U.S. jobs this year and cited AI as a factor in roughly 23% of job-cut announcements. Amazon says cuts were intended to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate work, and that it continues to hire in strategic areas while supporting impacted employees.
Meta, Microsoft Job Cuts Signal AI-Driven Labor Shift
Microsoft has launched plans for its first-ever voluntary early retirement (buyout) program for U.S. employees, according to an internal memo cited by CNBC and reported by manager magazin on April 24, 2026. The one-time program is open to U.S. employees at Senior Director level and below whose age plus years of service totals 70 or more. About 7% of Microsoft’s U.S. workforce would be eligible; earlier reporting estimated this could equal roughly 8,750 departures. The measure, announced internally by Chief People Officer Amy Coleman, is intended to reduce costs after heavy investments in data centers and follows prior layoffs. The company also announced compensation changes for managers—removing a requirement to tie stock grants to cash bonuses and narrowing manager options from nine to five. Microsoft declined to comment to Reuters.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.