Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- languish / ˈlæŋ gwɪʃ / (v.) – to fail to become better or successful
Example:The company’s sales continued to languish because of poor advertising.
- showroom / ˈʃoʊˌrum / (n.) – a big store where customers can look at products before buying them
Example:The newest TV model was displayed in the middle of the appliances showroom.
- shed / ʃɛd / (v.) – to remove something not wanted or needed
Example:She has been shedding weight since she started working out last year.
- stationary / ˈsteɪ ʃəˌnɛr i / (adj.) – fixed in one place or not moving
Example:Our bus has been stationary for 15 minutes because of the traffic.
- outsource / ˈaʊtˌsɔrs / (v.) – to hire someone from outside a company or organization to do a task
Example:We outsourced the editing of the video because we don’t have the time to do it.
Article
Read the text below.
Peloton’s high-end exercise bikes and other gear will now be able to be bought on Amazon in the U.S., a partnership aimed at boosting the fitness company’s sales that have languished since the easing of pandemic lockdowns.
“We want to meet consumers where they are, and they are shopping on Amazon,” Kevin Cornils, Peloton’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement.
The collaboration is Peloton’s first with another retailer. Before, its products were sold only through its website, physical showrooms and other channels.
And it comes after the company said last month that it was shedding jobs, shifting its delivery work to third-party vendors and significantly reducing the number of stores it has in North America.
The news of the Amazon deal sent shares of New York-based Peloton Interactive Inc. soaring 20% on August 24. They were still down about 88% in the last 12 months.
Products available at the launch on Amazon will include Peloton’s original bike — listed at $1,445 — its strength-training “Guide” device, as well as its workout mat, dumbbells and glass water bottle.
The company best known for its interactive stationary bikes saw its sales boom during the pandemic, but it has struggled to maintain high demand as COVID-19 vaccines became more widely available and homebound consumers started to go back to the gym.
Amid those challenges, it sought to cut costs and reduce its operating footprint while ramping up prices on some of its popular products. Peloton also said it would outsource manufacturing for its stationary bikes and treadmills.
The company said bike delivery will be available to most of the U.S. As part of the partnership, customers can get an expert to assemble their bikes, the company said.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Peloton will make its products available on Amazon to boost sales. Do you think this will be an effective move? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Aside from selling its products on Amazon, what else do you think Peloton can do to reverse the slump in its sales? Discuss.
Discussion B
- As vaccines became more widely available, people started going back to the gym. What is something you look forward to going back to when restrictions are eased? Discuss.
- What is something you did a lot during the pandemic (ex. home workout, home deliveries)? Do you think you’ll still keep doing this when there are fewer restrictions? Why or why not? Discuss.