In 1994, a job posting for software engineers was posted on Usenet, an early precursor to online forums. The company behind the post had plans to change the way commerce worked on the internet. They were seeking individuals who could design complex systems in a fraction of the time that most competent people believed was possible. Interested candidates were told to send their resumes to Jeff Bezos at Cadabra, a startup based in Seattle.
While the name Cadabra did not stick due to confusion with “cadaver” on phone calls, Amazon did not let it deter them from achieving their ambitious goal of revolutionizing e-commerce. Today, Amazon is celebrating its 30th anniversary on July 5th and has undeniably transformed the world of online shopping. According to estimates from JPMorgan Chase, Amazon’s websites are expected to generate $554 billion in sales in America this year, giving them a 42% share of the American e-commerce market.
This market dominance far surpasses that of Walmart, their closest online competitor with only a 6% share. Amazon has become the largest retailer overall and has solidified its position as a powerhouse in the world of e-commerce.
