25 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Amazon
- Did you know that Amazon almost had a Star Trek-inspired name?
- They bought every Pikachu toy from Toys "R" Us, and that’s just the beginning.
- Robots delivering your packages? Amazon’s already testing them out.
- One customer got their order in 23 minutes—no joke.
Amazon, the global behemoth of e-commerce, has an unmatched presence in everything from books to tech gadgets, groceries to cloud computing. With over 100 million Prime subscribers, it’s clear Amazon has become deeply embedded in our lives. But there’s more to Amazon than its ubiquitous two-day shipping. Here’s a deeper look into some of the more surprising—and lesser-known—facts about the company.
1. No iPhones on Amazon
While Amazon sells plenty of Apple products, you won’t find new iPhones directly from the company. It’s likely because Apple and Amazon have competing interests—Amazon’s Kindle tablet rivals Apple’s iPad, making the two companies’ relationship frosty when it comes to certain products.
2. Amazon Was Almost Named MakeItSo.com
Jeff Bezos, a lifelong Star Trek fan, initially considered naming his company MakeItSo.com, a nod to Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s famous command. Instead, Bezos settled on “Amazon,” inspired by the world’s largest river, to symbolize the vast scale of his ambition.
Photo via WIRED // Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon.com.
3. An Ice Age Cave Bear Stands in Amazon’s Lobby
Amazon’s Seattle headquarters houses a unique centerpiece—a $40,000 Ice Age cave bear skeleton, purchased by Bezos himself during the company’s brief venture into online auctions. Standing tall in the lobby, it’s a stark reminder of the company’s roots as an ambitious startup.
4. Amazon Emptied Toys "R" Us During the 1999 Pokémon Craze
When Amazon employees realized that Toys "R" Us had stock of the highly coveted Pokémon toys, they swiftly bought every last Pikachu. The move allowed Amazon to resell the toys at a markup, helping the company meet the insane holiday demand. Toys "R" Us wasn’t prepared for mass buying, giving Amazon the upper hand during the Pokémon frenzy.
5. Amazon Robots Are Already Delivering Packages
In Irvine, California, Amazon is testing the future of deliveries with its Scout robots. These six-wheeled, autonomous machines deliver packages up to a mile away from distribution hubs, and while they’re currently accompanied by human escorts, full automation could be just around the corner.
6. The Fastest Amazon Delivery Was in 23 Minutes
A New Yorker received their order—a nostalgic Easy-Bake Oven—in a record-breaking 23 minutes after placing it through Prime’s same-day delivery service. Amazon continues to push the boundaries of logistics, aiming for lightning-fast deliveries to keep customers satisfied.
7. Some Amazon Reviews Are Paid For
It’s not always easy to spot, but some of those glowing reviews on Amazon might not be genuine. In 2012, an Oklahoma business was caught charging up to $999 for clusters of five-star reviews. Amazon cracked down on the practice, suing companies that engage in such manipulations.
8. Amazon Pays Employees to Quit
In 2014, Amazon introduced its “Pay to Quit” program. The idea? To offer unmotivated warehouse workers up to $5,000 to quit, on the condition that they can never work for the company again. Only a small percentage of employees have taken up the offer.
9. Amazon’s First Customer Has a Building Named After Him
The first non-employee to make a purchase on Amazon, John Wainwright, bought a book titled Creative Concepts and Fluid Analogies. To honor this milestone, Bezos named one of the company’s buildings after him.
10. Amazon Got in Trouble for Selling Dolphin and Whale Meat
In 2012, Amazon Japan was caught selling meat products from dolphins and endangered whales, sparking outrage from environmental groups. After a wave of protests, the company pulled over 100 products, including canned whale meat and jerky, from its virtual shelves.
11. Amazon Offers Warehouse Tours
Ever wanted to see how your Amazon package makes its way to your doorstep? You can, with Amazon offering tours of at least 23 of its fulfillment centers across North America. Visitors can see the company’s advanced robotic sorting system in action and get a behind-the-scenes look at the operation that powers the global e-commerce giant.
12. Meet Danbo: Amazon Japan’s Adorable Mascot
Danbo, a charming cardboard robot that started as a character in a Japanese manga, has become an unofficial mascot for Amazon Japan. The figure, which has no direct ties to Amazon, has inspired a variety of toys and memes, making Danbo a fan-favorite for many Japanese customers.
13. The CIA is One of Amazon’s Biggest Customers
In 2013, Amazon inked a $600 million deal with the CIA to provide cloud computing services through Amazon Web Services (AWS). The partnership has sparked privacy concerns, with critics questioning whether Amazon might be pressured to share customer data with government agencies.
14. You Can Buy a Tiny House on Amazon
Yes, you read that right—Amazon sells tiny homes. For around $26,000, you can purchase a prefabricated house kit that includes a 20-foot by 40-foot living space. Of course, the price doesn’t cover necessities like plumbing and electricity, but it’s still an interesting option for tiny-home enthusiasts.
15. Amazon Owns Over 100 Private Label Brands
While you might think Amazon is just a marketplace for other sellers, it actually operates more than 100 of its own private label brands. From AmazonBasics to fashion lines like Lark & Ro, these brands allow Amazon to offer competitive pricing and increase its profits without relying on third-party sellers.
16. Amazon Has 200,000 Warehouse Robots
Automation is a major focus for Amazon. As of 2023, the company employs over 200,000 robots in its fulfillment centers to streamline its operations and cut down on labor costs. These robots pick, pack, and move products, helping Amazon keep up with the massive volume of orders.
Photo via Inc. Magazine // Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in front of the Amazon logo.
17. Amazon’s Phoenix Warehouse is the Size of 28 Football Fields
Amazon’s fulfillment center in Phoenix, Arizona, is massive—spanning 1.2 million square feet, equivalent to about 28 football fields. Inside, robots and humans work together to pick, pack, and ship the seemingly endless stream of orders.
18. Amazon Prime Day Rivals Black Friday
Since its introduction in 2015, Prime Day has grown into one of the largest shopping events in the world, generating billions in sales. What began as a 20th-anniversary celebration has turned into a global retail phenomenon, with deals that often outperform Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
19. Amazon Started in a Garage
Like many tech giants, Amazon began with humble roots. Jeff Bezos started the company in his garage in 1994, initially selling only books. The first book ever sold on the site was Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies, ordered by a software engineer named John Wainwright.
20. Bezos Almost Named Amazon ‘Cadabra’
Bezos initially considered naming his company Cadabra, like the magic word “abracadabra.” However, after someone misheard it as “cadaver,” he decided to go with “Amazon” instead. It turned out to be a better choice for conveying the vastness of the company’s ambitions.
21. Amazon Created the “Two-Pizza Rule” for Teams
At Amazon, efficiency is key. One of Bezos’ well-known management principles is the “two-pizza rule”—teams shouldn’t be larger than what two pizzas can feed. This ensures that teams are small and agile, promoting faster decision-making and better communication.
22. Amazon Acquired Whole Foods for $13.7 Billion
In 2017, Amazon made headlines by acquiring Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion. The move marked Amazon’s significant entry into the grocery business and has since reshaped how we shop for groceries, with Amazon integrating Whole Foods into its Prime Now delivery service.
23. Amazon Spent $775 Million on Robotics Company Kiva Systems
In 2012, Amazon acquired Kiva Systems, a robotics company, for $775 million. The acquisition has since transformed Amazon’s logistics and warehouse operations, with Kiva’s robots now playing a critical role in automating the company’s fulfillment centers.
24. Amazon Pays $15 Minimum Wage
In 2018, Amazon announced that it would raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour for all U.S. employees. The move came after pressure from workers and activists, positioning Amazon as a leader in improving wages among large corporations.
25. Amazon Wasn’t Always Profitable
Despite its rapid growth, Amazon didn’t become profitable until the first quarter of 2002—nearly seven years after its founding. That quarter, the company reported a modest profit of $5 million, a small but crucial turning point in its journey to becoming a global powerhouse.
Final Thoughts
Amazon has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings as an online bookstore, growing into one of the most influential companies in the world. From robots delivering packages to tiny houses for sale, Amazon continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of commerce. Whether you love it or view it with skepticism, there’s no denying that Amazon is reshaping industries—and our daily lives—on a massive scale.
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