Company Overview

Driven by Curiosity,
Built for Customers

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. We are the world's most customer-centric company — a place where builders can build.

1994
Founded
$575B+
Annual Revenue
1.5M+
Employees
200+
Countries Served
#1
Cloud Provider (AWS)
History
From a Garage to the Globe
Three decades of relentless invention and customer focus.

Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos on July 5, 1994, in Bellevue, Washington. Initially operating as an online bookstore out of a garage, the company rapidly expanded beyond books to become "the everything store," selling electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, and jewelry.

In 2002, Amazon launched Amazon Web Services (AWS), offering IT infrastructure services to businesses. Today AWS is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, powering millions of businesses from startups to global enterprises and government agencies.

The company has consistently reinvented itself — launching Prime in 2005, the Kindle in 2007, Alexa in 2014, and Amazon Go cashierless stores in 2018. Each invention began with a simple question: "What's best for the customer?"

Today, under the leadership of CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon continues to expand into healthcare, satellite internet (Project Kuiper), autonomous delivery, and generative AI, while remaining steadfastly focused on its original mission.

"We are stubborn on vision. We are flexible on details. We don't give up on things easily. Our successes are the result of our long-term orientation."
— Jeff Bezos, Founder & Executive Chairman
1994

Founded in a Garage

Jeff Bezos incorporates Amazon in Bellevue, WA, and ships first book orders.

1997

IPO on NASDAQ

Amazon goes public at $18/share, raising $54 million.

2002

AWS Launches

Amazon Web Services begins offering cloud infrastructure to businesses.

2005

Amazon Prime

$79/year membership with free two-day shipping launches; now has 200M+ members.

2014

Alexa & Echo

Amazon introduces voice AI and smart speakers, defining a new product category.

2021

Andy Jassy becomes CEO

AWS founder Andy Jassy succeeds Jeff Bezos as CEO of Amazon.

Culture
Our Leadership Principles
16 principles that guide every decision — from hiring to product launches.
👥

Customer Obsession

Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They earn and keep customer trust above all else.

🏆

Ownership

Leaders act on behalf of the entire company. They think long-term and never sacrifice long-term value for short-term results.

💡

Invent and Simplify

Leaders expect and require innovation from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware.

🎯

Bias for Action

Speed matters in business. Many decisions are reversible — we value calculated risk-taking over analysis paralysis.

💰

Frugality

Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention.

📊

Dive Deep

Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, and audit frequently. No task is beneath them.

🌱

Think Big

Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results.

⭐

Hire and Develop the Best

Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire. They recognize exceptional talent and develop leaders throughout the organization.

Business Units
Amazon's Major Businesses
A diversified technology empire spanning retail, cloud, media, and beyond.
🛒
Amazon.com
E-Commerce & Marketplace

The world's largest online retailer, selling hundreds of millions of products directly and through third-party sellers. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) powers millions of small businesses globally.

60%
3rd-party seller share
350M+
Products listed
☁️
Amazon Web Services
Cloud Computing

The world's leading cloud platform, offering 200+ fully featured services from data centers globally. AWS powers Netflix, Airbnb, NASA, and millions of other customers.

$100B+
Annual revenue
33%
Global cloud market share
🎬
Amazon Prime
Membership & Streaming

A subscription service offering fast delivery, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, exclusive deals, and more — creating unmatched value for over 200 million members.

200M+
Members worldwide
$139/yr
US annual price
📢
Amazon Advertising
Digital Advertising

One of the world's largest digital advertising platforms, leveraging purchase intent data to deliver highly targeted ads. Sponsors products, display ads, and video advertising.

$47B+
Annual ad revenue
#3
Global ad platform
📱
Devices & Alexa
Consumer Electronics & AI

Amazon designs and sells Kindle, Fire tablets, Echo smart speakers, Fire TV, Ring security, and Blink cameras. Alexa is one of the world's most widely deployed voice AI assistants.

500M+
Alexa devices sold
15+
Hardware product lines
🛍️
Whole Foods & Fresh
Grocery & Physical Retail

After acquiring Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7B, Amazon expanded into physical grocery. Amazon Fresh offers same-day grocery delivery, and Amazon Go stores feature cashierless checkout technology.

500+
Whole Foods locations
2017
Acquisition year
By the Numbers
Amazon at Scale
Key metrics that reflect Amazon's global footprint and impact.
$575B+
Annual Net Sales (2023)
1.5M+
Full & Part-time Employees
200M+
Prime Members Worldwide
$100B+
AWS Annual Revenue
350M+
Products on Amazon.com
185
Fulfillment & Distribution Centers
$1.8T
Market Capitalization
200+
Countries & Territories Served
People
Executive Leadership
The team shaping Amazon's next chapter.
AJ
Andy Jassy
President & CEO
Former CEO of AWS; succeeded Jeff Bezos in July 2021. Architect of Amazon's cloud business.
JB
Jeff Bezos
Founder & Exec. Chairman
Founded Amazon in 1994. Stepped down as CEO in 2021 to focus on innovation and space venture Blue Origin.
BO
Brian Olsavsky
Chief Financial Officer
CFO since 2015. Oversees Amazon's global financial strategy and investor relations.
DZ
Dave Zapolsky
SVP, Global Affairs & CLO
General Counsel and Senior VP overseeing legal, policy, and corporate affairs.
AM
Adam Selipsky
CEO, Amazon Web Services
Leads AWS, the world's largest cloud computing platform, serving millions of customers globally.
Environment
Committed to a Sustainable Future
Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge — a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.
2040
Net-Zero Carbon Target
10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement goal
✅ Signatory of The Climate Pledge
✅ Largest corporate renewable energy buyer
✅ 100K electric delivery vehicles on order
✅ $2B Climate Pledge Fund
✅ Sustainable operations in 40+ countries