Amazon closes charity scheme in cost-cutting drive

Amazon is to shut down a charitable giving programme that has raised hundreds of millions of pounds worldwide, as it cuts costs and slashes jobs across its business.

The tech giant said yesterday that it would end its Amazonsmile programme, in which it donated up 0.5pc of the purchase price of products to charity. Shoppers could pick from a range of charities, which would receive a small donation every time a product was bought. UK charities, including the RSPCA and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, had received a total of £18.5m through the scheme.

Amazonsmile has provided US charities with $400m (£323m). Amazon said the scheme represented “a very small portion” of its philanthropic efforts.