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Amazon is expanding its Delivery Service Partner program to incentivize employees to establish their own delivery companies, according to a press release.
The new incentive plan will give employees who begin their own delivery service up to $10,000 in startup costs. Amazon says employees can also receive up to 3 months of pay so “employees-turned-business-owners can more easily get their package delivery companies off the ground,” according to the press release.
“We received overwhelming interest from tens of thousands of individuals who applied to be part of the Delivery Service Partner program, including many employees,” says Dave Clark, senior vice president of Amazon worldwide operations. “We’ve heard from associates that they want to participate in the program but struggled with the transition. Now we have a path for those associates with an appetite for opportunities to own their own businesses.”
If an employee decides to begin a delivery business, they will exit their current role within Amazon and work full-time on that business, according to the company. Amazon says these employees will have access to “consistent delivery volume” and “the company’s sophisticated delivery technology, hands-on training and discounts on … Amazon-branded vans customized for delivery …”
Since the Delivery Service Partner program launched in June 2018, the company says more than 200 new small businesses have been created. Amazon also plans to begin the program in the U.K. and Spain.
Last month, Amazon announced it would accept in-store returns at all U.S. Kohl’s locations.
