Since its founding in 1994, Amazon has undergone exponential growth. Initially an online bookstore, the company has evolved into a global e-commerce powerhouse. Yet its reach extends far beyond retail. Amazon is also a dominant force in technology infrastructure (Amazon Web Services, or AWS), digital entertainment (Prime Video, Twitch, Kindle), logistics, and online advertising.
Amazon’s annual revenue skyrocketed from nearly $7 billion in 2004 to $574 billion in 2023. AWS, launched in 2002, has become a major profit driver, generating $90 billion in 2023. Similarly, the company’s advertising revenues have surged, reaching $51 billion in 2023. Employing 1.5 million people, Amazon has cemented its position as the second-largest retailer in the United States after Walmart, accounting for 6% of U.S. commerce and an astonishing 37.6% of American e-commerce.
