Camp is back and in a good mood. It’s almost summer and business in the book store always picks up at this time of year. And yet, the competition from e-readers like Kobo, Kindle and Amazon is fierce. 

“Book stores have to offer more than just books,” Camp said. “We offer atmosphere, knowledge and personalized service. People like that. But you’re right, Amazon is not just driving book stores out of business but every other small-town retailer.”

“I have to admit, we shop on Amazon but only after we exhausted local choices and alternatives,” I said.  “It’s hard to beat one day free delivery right to your front steps and their return policy is not an option for small businesses. Often, they don’t want the item back and just send you a refund or a replacement. Crazy stuff.”

Camp was scrolling on his silly phone. 

“Amazon-Prime is how North America shops. There were about 100 million subscribers before Covid which drove the whole world inside. They have added roughly 30 million people each year since 2020. Industry analysts estimate there are now over 260 million active subscribers globally.”

“Wow, just think of the amount of money they make. It’s insane.”

“Let me tell you the numbers. Here they are: Annual revenue for Amazon’s broader subscription services, including Prime memberships, audiobooks, and video services, reached $49.62 billion in 2025. This reflects continuous year-over-year revenue growth, climbing from roughly $35.2 billion in 2022to $44.38 billion in 2024. Amazon’s value has multiplied roughly 97 times, to $1.76 trillion and is the second-largest private employer in the US, after Walmart, and it is responsible for roughly 40 percent of all e-commerce.”

            “What about wages? Do they pay a living wage to their employers or are they even unionized?”

            “The general minimum wage in BC is $ 18.25 per hour since June 1. In Canada Amazon pays frontline warehouse workers an average base wage of $ 24.50 per hour. Entry level wages range from $ 18 to $ 23 per hour. Amazon historically opposes unionization efforts. However, the landscape is changing. Approximately 800 workers at Amazon’s Delta, BC, facility unionized with Unifor.”

            We both put away our little screens and looked out at the lovely vista of Gibsons Harbour and Howe Sound. We’ve come a long way from shopping at your local mom-and-pop store to same delivery from Amazon or Temu. Besides Walmart, Amazon and Costco, the small-town malls are being taken over by Gyms and Dollarama, Liquor stores and fast- food outlets. No more jewelry, kitchen supply stores or bookstores and no more department stores for that matter. No Eatons, The Bay, Sears, Nordstrom etc. All the shopping is now at your fingertips and from your phone.

            When Vicky brought around a fresh round, I had to ask her. “Where do you do your shopping these days?”

            She looked at me kind of funny. “Mostly on line and in second-hand shops.”

That reminded me that we have a whole bag of clothes and shoes we never wear to bring to the Sally Ann.