Amazon (company)

Amazon.com, Inc., doing business as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company, engaged in e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is considered one of the Big Five American technology companies; the other four are Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

Some of the key events about Amazon (company)

1995
Launched as an online bookstore, revolutionizing e-commerce
1999
Introduced "1-Click" ordering, streamlining the online shopping process
1999
Patented the "1-Click" ordering system, criticized for stifling e-commerce innovation
2000
Implemented dynamic pricing, leading to accusations of price discrimination
2002
Launched Amazon Web Services (AWS), providing cloud computing services
2005
Introduced Amazon Prime, offering free two-day shipping for members
2007
Released the first Kindle e-reader, transforming digital book consumption
2008
Removed sales rankings for LGBTQ+ books, sparking controversy over censorship
2009
Acquired Zappos for $1.2 billion, expanding into online shoe and clothing retail
2011
Poor working conditions in warehouses exposed, including extreme heat and productivity pressures
2014
Introduced Amazon Echo with Alexa, pioneering voice-activated smart home technology
2014
Engaged in a dispute with publisher Hachette, delaying book shipments and removing pre-order buttons
2015
New York Times exposé revealed harsh corporate culture and management practices
2017
Acquired Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion, entering the grocery industry
2017
Announced search for second headquarters, criticized for creating a "bidding war" among cities
2018
Became the second U.S. company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization
2018
Faced scrutiny for low wages and reliance on government subsidies for employee benefits
2019
Canceled plans for New York City headquarters after local opposition to tax incentives
2020
Pledged to be net-zero carbon across its business by 2040
2020
Fired employees who spoke out about warehouse safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.