History
Amazon.com (e-tailer)entered the online retail marketplace in July 1995 and is now a Fortune 500 company. Using an innovative approach Amazon.com offers a range of products beyond just books. Today, Amazon.com has diversified and offers apparel, electronics, kitchenware, houseware, toys, baby items, games, tools, hardware, travel services and groceries.
Amazon.com’s founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’ business approach, ideas and technical innovations built a company that survived business economic crises and high business competition. Amazon.com employs 24,300 full-time and part-time employees worldwide (Amazon.com, 2009, p4) and its business reputation is of excellent rating for Amazon.com’s customer service, product prices and innovative e-commerce features on Amazon.com internet site. Employment levels fluctuate due to seasonal factors of the business. During busy times Amazon utilises independent contractors and temporary personnel to supplement the workforce. Employees are not represented by any labor organisations (Amazon.com, 2009, p4).
Datamonitor's (2010, p4) company overview reported that Amazon.com recorded revenue of $US 24.509 million for FY (financial Year) 2009 an increase of 27.9% over 2008. In addition the company net profit was $US 902 million for FY2009 an increase of 39.8% over 2008. "Amazon.com is USA's largest online retailer with nearly three times the internet Sales Revenue of its nearest rival, Staples" (Datamonitor, 2010, p5)
History 1994 – 2010 (to present)
2008 - 2010 (present)
Amazon.com continues its business on the web with ongoing improvement in product and customer services. “World’s brightest technology minds come to Amazon.com to develop and research its technology that should improve the life of shoppers, sellers and developers around the world “ (Amazon.com, n.d.)
2007
Amazon.com introduces ‘Kindle’. It is a wireless, portable reading device with instant access to more than 90,000 books, magazines, blogs and newspapers.
2005
Amazon.com celebrates 10th anniversary. “our wide company obsession creating the best possible shopping experience will not change as we move into second decade” by Jeff Bezos (founder and CEO)
2003 -2004
‘Search Inside the Book’ and Jewellery Store launched on Amazon.com web.
2001
Amazon.com reported a fiscal loss of $1.4 billion and had laid over 1000 workers. Jeff Bezos (founder and CEO) saved Amazon.com by recruiting other companies to sell their products on Amazon.com’s web.
1997 - 200
Amazon.com added CDs, Movies , video games, toys etc. to the website. By 1997, Amazon.com success generated $15.7 million in revenue.
Seattle, October 1995
World’s largest bookseller opens on the Web. Amazon.com offers more than one million of titles. Netscape and Yahoo have included Amazon.com on their ‘Whats New’ and ‘Whats Cool’ Lists.
1994 - Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com
Originally the business was based out of garage in his Washington home. With the help of investors the company was launched on web in 1995.
The You Tube links outline the diversity of products that Amazon.com bring to the Online Marketplace.
(Kantor & Streampad.com, 2007)
