Core Viewpoint - Amazon is discontinuing the Prime Invitee program, which allowed Prime members to share shipping benefits with non-household members, marking a significant change in its fulfillment strategy and potentially increasing costs for some users [2][4][10]. Group 1: Program Changes - The Prime Invitee program, initiated in 2009, allowed one adult outside the household to share shipping benefits, but it will end on October 1 [3][4]. - The new Amazon Family program will replace the Invitee program, allowing benefits to be shared only among members living at the same address [4][5]. Group 2: Market Context - Amazon's decision reflects a broader trend in the industry, similar to Netflix's crackdown on password sharing, as companies seek to tighten control over account sharing [5][11]. - Analysts suggest that this move is a response to challenges faced by streaming services, which lost $9.1 billion in revenue in 2019 due to account sharing and piracy [7][11]. Group 3: Customer Impact - A recent survey indicated that over 40% of Americans prioritize retailers offering free shipping, highlighting the importance of this benefit in consumer decision-making [12]. - Amazon is offering a limited-time deal of 12 months of Prime for $14.99 to mitigate the impact of the program change on affected users [13]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Analysts do not expect a significant loss of Prime members due to the changes, as many consumers view the service as essential [14]. - The Amazon Family program allows sharing of various benefits, including free delivery and access to Prime Video, but requires all members to reside at the same address [15].