But despite the program’s clandestine deployment, this isn’t the first time it’s been tested out. The Hub Delivery Partner Program has actually been operating in a number of international countries for years, including in India since 2015.
Is This a Win For Business Owners?
So for businesses considering taking part – what would partnering with the world’s biggest e-commerce company actually look like? Well, according to business owners involved in the pilot, participants are required to commit to delivering packages seven days a week, with only five holiday days allowed each year. What do they get in return for this heavy commitment? Well, the delivery scheme can be a valuable way for businesses to subsidize their revenue, in a landscape where lucrative opportunities are hard to come by. For independent businesses in rural states that have been hit particularly hard over the past few years, this extra income can make the difference between sinking and staying afloat. A business owner from Alabama that takes part in the program illustrates this, telling Vox that the pilot’s appeal “is diversifying the business and also creating jobs for people in the community.” “That’s something we care about, and it’s been really good for my jobbers” he adds. But the scheme’s round-the-clock commitments and $2.50 per-package payment isn’t going to be enough for every business, as the business owner continues to explain. “Seven days a week for me is not a big deal because I’m at my shop every day, but for some people, it is a big deal.”
