Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore before it became a global technology giant.
Bezos incorporated the company in July 1994, and it began operating as an online bookseller in 1995. Books were a practical starting point because a web store could offer a much larger selection than most physical bookstores. The company later expanded into electronics, clothing, household goods, groceries, digital media, and many other categories.
Amazon also developed major businesses outside retail. Amazon Web Services, launched in 2006, became a leading cloud-computing provider, while Prime subscriptions, advertising, logistics, and devices added further sources of revenue.
Amazon’s market capitalization reflects investor expectations about these combined businesses, not merely the value of its online store. The company went public in 1997 and became one of the most valuable corporations in the world.