Amazon has announced that it is closing AmazonSmile, and will wind it down by 20 February, saying that the programme has not grown enough to create the impact it hoped for.

Instead, Amazon says it will “pursue and invest in other areas where it can make meaningful change— from providing support to families in need, to using our logistics infrastructure and technology to assist communities impacted by natural disasters.”

AmazonSmile launched 10 years ago and lets customers choose a charity through small donations generated by their purchases.

In its statement, the company said: “We recognise that these are difficult times for everyone, including charities, so we are providing an additional one-time donation to participating charities equivalent to six months of what they earned through the programme in 2022, and they will also be able to accrue additional donations until the programme officially closes in February. Once AmazonSmile closes, charities will still be able to seek support from Amazon customers by creating their own wish lists.”

The statement lists some of the other ways Amazon will continue helping charities, including increasing its support for a charity coalition led by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown that has donated essential products to more than 50,000 families in need; a new partnership with Comic Relief; product donation programmes; and the launch of a new Amazon for Charity store which allows charities to raise money by selling products on Amazon and collecting 100% of profits.

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