I guess you can parse it any way, but I consider those to be very different. A more valid comparison is between the retail stores and Amazon's distribution network, fulfillment centers, warehouses, etc. These things all fall under capital expenditures (CapEx) and represent hard costs that must be paid/financed.
Like retail stores, they are also part of the required infrastructure to fulfill customer orders.
Prime, OTOH is more a marketing expense. I would compare it to coupons, store savings cards, etc.
So, the double-standard doesn't exist in my view; unless you were to count retail store costs without counting Amazon fulfillment costs.
Like retail stores, they are also part of the required infrastructure to fulfill customer orders.
Prime, OTOH is more a marketing expense. I would compare it to coupons, store savings cards, etc.
So, the double-standard doesn't exist in my view; unless you were to count retail store costs without counting Amazon fulfillment costs.