Re “The problem is its labor practices, which can be reformed without sacrificing that service.” I think their costs would increase somewhat — which might allow some competition into the market.

My main problem with Amazon is their monopolistic over-dominance the market place. And not of just one market either. It’s very-much broad spectrum dominance.

I’m sure this impacts the labor market too. If there were several Amazon-like companies in existence, warehousemen (etc.) could sell their services to whichever one that gave them the best opportunities and benefits. But with Amazon as the only game in town, the workers are faced with the choice of either, a job with Amazon, or unemployment.

Unfortunately, the ‘viable alternatives’ I in had mind are not “Mom & Pop” outfits either — they just aren’t Amazon. For books, there are a number of highly efficient large-scale on-line sellers that aren’t Amazon. Likewise for furniture, hardware, electrical/computerware. (I have just ordered Christmas cards on-line — direct from the charity organisation — no need for Amazon. They’ll arrive in the morning.)