Amazon.com is considering a $15 billion warehouse expansion plan for approximately 80 new logistics facilities across US cities and rural areas, according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter.

The e-commerce giant is currently seeking proposals from potential capital partners for properties that would primarily consist of delivery hubs, alongside some larger fulfilment centres equipped with robots. The company is reportedly willing to commit to leases ranging from 15 to 25 years, with some sites potentially receiving direct funding from Amazon.

"Meetings like this with our capital partners are routine and part of the normal due diligence process, as we consider potential, future projects," said Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly, who confirmed the projects are under discussion but have not been finalised.

This expansion initiative suggests Amazon may be emerging from a construction slowdown that followed its rapid growth during the pandemic period. The company previously spent heavily on retail infrastructure during this time, incurring quarterly expenses of $2 billion for excess warehouse and transportation capacity before subsequently scaling back these investments to focus on its cloud and artificial intelligence businesses.

The timing of the expansion plans coincides with escalating global trade tensions. China and the European Union announced new trade barriers on US goods on Wednesday in response to steep duties imposed by US president Donald Trump. China increased tariffs on US imports to 84 per cent from 34 per cent, following Trump's implementation of 104 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports.

Separately, Bloomberg News reported that Amazon has cancelled orders for multiple products manufactured in China and other Asian countries following the sweeping US tariff announcements on 2 April. The cancellations, which reportedly came without warning, affected orders for beach chairs, scooters and other merchandise from multiple vendors.

The industrial real estate market where Amazon operates is showing signs of softening, with vacancy rates exceeding 7 per cent for the first time since 2014, according to property services firm Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. This market shift occurs as Amazon evaluates its approach to warehouse expansion, having previously alternated between signing long-term lease agreements with industrial developers and directly purchasing properties between 2020 and 2022.

Amazon currently operates more than 600 fulfilment centres, delivery stations and same-day facilities across the United States.

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