In 2009, Zappos.com was acquired by which company?

Amazon acquired Zappos.com in 2009. The deal brought the fast-growing online shoe retailer into Amazon’s corporate family while allowing Zappos to preserve much of its distinct customer-service culture.

Zappos was founded in 1999 by Nick Swinmurn, originally under the name ShoeSite.com. The company later adopted the name Zappos, derived from zapatos, the Spanish word for shoes. Tony Hsieh helped lead its expansion and made customer service a central part of the brand.

Amazon announced the acquisition in July 2009. The transaction was structured primarily as an all-stock deal, with Amazon offering roughly 10 million shares and additional cash and restricted stock for Zappos employees. The deal was valued at about $1.2 billion when it closed.

The purchase is sometimes confused with a simple rebranding or merger, but Zappos continued operating as a recognizable brand under Amazon ownership. Its independent identity and service philosophy were important parts of the agreement and the public discussion surrounding the acquisition.