Amazon's CEO shares warning on prices, item shortages

Amazon has a massive advantage over most retailers.

Its size gives it a level of buying power that's unprecedented. Basically, only Walmart sits in a similar position and even players like Target and Costco don't have the same ability to dictate terms to suppliers.

Normally, Amazon controls its own fate. It can tell suppliers to lower prices, make demands on packaging, and otherwise set its own terms.

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That does not make it immune to what's happening in the world. Amazon (AMZN) suffered with supply chain issues during the Covid pandemic and it had periods where certain items were out of stock. 

Amazon also had times where it offered a version of the item you wanted through a third-party seller, but maybe not the way you wanted it. That included off-brands, slower delivery times, and other changes.