Amazon's cloud computing arm, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is laying off hundreds of employees, focusing on its physical stores technology, and sales and marketing departments. This move aims to streamline the organization and focus on strategic areas expected to deliver maximum impact. The decision was not taken lightly, and Amazon is committed to supporting affected employees in transitioning to new roles within or outside the company. These layoffs come as AWS has experienced a slowdown in sales growth due to businesses cutting back on cloud spending amid economic challenges. This includes scaling back on cashierless checkout systems in Amazon Fresh stores in the U.S. The store technology team, responsible for cashierless tech among other projects, had previously been moved to AWS in 2022 as part of a strategic shift. These cuts are part of a larger trend at Amazon, which has been reducing its workforce across various units since the end of 2022, marking the largest layoffs in the company's history. Affected U.S. employees will receive pay and benefits for 60 days and are eligible for severance.