Amazon

Amazon Kitchen is identified in the supplied material as an Amazon-owned private-label food brand within the broader consumer-staples category. The available information does not establish a founding date, product catalogue, markets, official website, or separate operating entity. It is therefore unclear whether the name refers to an ongoing standalone brand, a specific food line, or a product label used by Amazon in selected markets. Beyond its stated association with Amazon and its food positioning, there is not enough reliable information to describe its history, products, or market performance.

Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 after he identified the rapidly expanding internet as an opportunity to build a large-scale mail-order business. The company initially operated under the name Cadabra and was organized in Washington state before reincorporating in Delaware. Bezos selected books as the first product category because the worldwide book catalog was too large for a conventional store to stock comprehensively, while individual titles could be described and ordered online. The online bookstore opened to customers in July 1995. Amazon’s early business model emphasized selection, low prices, convenience, and software-enabled personalization rather than the physical atmosphere of a traditional bookstore. The company introduced or popularized features such as customer reviews, personalized recommendations, affiliate marketing, and one-click purchasing. In 1996 it launched the Associates Program, allowing third-party websites to refer visitors to Amazon and receive commissions on qualifying purchases. Amazon completed its initial public offering on May 15, 1997, listing on Nasdaq under AMZN. During the late 1990s it expanded into music, video, electronics, toys, software, home products, and other categories. The company also began building the infrastructure required to handle growing order volumes, including fulfillment centers, inventory systems, customer-service operations, and delivery partnerships. Its marketplace model gradually enabled outside sellers to list products alongside Amazon’s own retail inventory, increasing selection while creating new revenue streams from commissions, services, advertising, and fulfillment. A major strategic turning point came in 2005 with the launch of Amazon Prime. Initially centered on free two-day shipping for an annual fee, Prime became a recurring-membership platform that connected logistics with digital content and other benefits. Amazon subsequently added video, music, reading, gaming, grocery, and country-specific services. Prime helped establish faster delivery as a central component of online retail competition. Another decisive transformation came through Amazon Web Services. Amazon had developed internal expertise in scalable computing, storage, databases, and distributed systems while operating its retail business. AWS began taking shape in the early 2000s and launched major infrastructure services including Simple Storage Service in 2006 and Elastic Compute Cloud in the same period. By allowing customers to rent computing resources instead of building all infrastructure themselves, AWS created a new global cloud-computing business and became one of Amazon’s most important operating segments. Amazon entered consumer hardware and digital media more aggressively in the 2000s. The Kindle e-reader debuted in 2007 with wireless access to digital books. The company later developed Fire tablets, Fire TV, Echo speakers, Alexa voice services, and other connected-home products. These devices supported Amazon’s content, commerce, and subscription ecosystems while giving the company a direct interface with consumers outside the web browser. During the 2010s Amazon expanded through acquisitions and internal investment. It acquired the robotics company Kiva Systems in 2012, strengthening automation in fulfillment centers; Twitch in 2014, entering large-scale game livestreaming; Whole Foods Market in 2017, adding a physical grocery chain; and Ring, PillPack, and other businesses associated with home security and healthcare. Amazon Studios and Prime Video expanded into original programming, while Amazon Advertising became an important commercial service for brands and third-party sellers. The company’s logistics ambitions also broadened. Amazon built aircraft and delivery capabilities, expanded its fulfillment network, developed robotics and autonomous systems, and integrated grocery and pharmacy services into its retail platform. Zoox extended Amazon’s interests into autonomous transportation. Project Kuiper, later renamed Amazon Leo, represented an effort to provide broadband connectivity through a low-Earth-orbit satellite network. In 2021 Bezos became executive chair and Andy Jassy became chief executive officer. Jassy had joined Amazon in 1997 and led AWS for many years. Under his leadership, Amazon has continued to focus on cost discipline, logistics efficiency, cloud computing, advertising, healthcare, entertainment, and artificial intelligence. The company has also invested in generative AI through AWS services, Alexa+, shopping assistants, custom chips, and machine-learning infrastructure. Amazon’s growth has been accompanied by continuing controversy. Regulators and courts have examined its treatment of sellers, pricing practices, marketplace ranking, Prime enrollment and cancellation, worker safety, privacy, product authenticity, and competitive acquisitions. The FTC filed a major antitrust complaint in 2023, while later regulatory actions addressed Prime enrollment and other consumer-protection issues. These disputes coexist with Amazon’s continuing reputation for convenience, broad selection, fast delivery, technical innovation, and aggressive long-term expansion.

1. 2026Rufus becomes Alexa for Shopping

   Amazon renamed its generative shopping assistant Rufus as Alexa for Shopping and linked it with Alexa+ capabilities.

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2. 2025David Zapolsky becomes chief global affairs and legal officer

   David Zapolsky assumed an expanded leadership role covering global affairs and legal matters.

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3. 2024Matthew Garman becomes AWS CEO

   Matthew Garman became chief executive officer of Amazon Web Services.

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4. 2023FTC antitrust complaint filed

   The FTC and state attorneys general sued Amazon, alleging that the company used exclusionary practices to maintain monopoly power in online retail and marketplace services.

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5. 2022MGM joins Amazon entertainment operations

   MGM joined Prime Video and Amazon Studios, bringing a substantial film and television library into Amazon’s entertainment portfolio.

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6. 2021Leadership transition

   Andy Jassy became president and chief executive officer, while Jeff Bezos became executive chair.

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7. 2019The Climate Pledge announced

   Amazon and Global Optimism announced a commitment aimed at reaching the Paris Agreement goals ten years early.

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8. 2017Whole Foods Market acquisition completed

   Amazon acquired Whole Foods Market, adding a large physical grocery operation to its commerce and logistics network.

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9. 2014Twitch acquisition announced

   Amazon announced an agreement to acquire Twitch, expanding into livestreaming and interactive gaming communities.

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10. 2012Kiva Systems acquired

    Amazon acquired Kiva Systems, accelerating the use of robotics in its fulfillment network.

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11. 2007Kindle introduced

    Amazon introduced its first Kindle e-reader, linking dedicated hardware with the Kindle digital bookstore.

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12. 2006AWS infrastructure services launch

    Amazon Web Services launched major cloud infrastructure products, including Amazon S3, helping establish cloud computing as a core Amazon business.

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13. 2005Amazon Prime launches

    Amazon introduced Prime as a paid membership centered initially on expedited shipping.

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14. 1997Initial public offering

    Amazon completed its IPO on May 15, 1997, and began trading on Nasdaq under AMZN.

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15. 1996Associates affiliate program launches

    Amazon launched its Associates Program, allowing external websites to refer customers and earn commissions.

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16. 1995Online bookstore opens

    Amazon opened its online store in July 1995, initially selling books to customers in the United States and internationally.

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17. 1994Company founded

    Jeff Bezos founded the company in Washington state. It was initially associated with the name Cadabra before becoming Amazon.

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Customer-centric, convenience-led, data-intensive, operationally integrated, and diversified across commerce and technology.

• Amazon.comE-commerce marketplace1995

  Amazon’s core digital storefront and marketplace offers products sold directly by Amazon and by independent third-party sellers. The service combines search, product information, customer reviews, recommendations, advertising, payments, fulfillment, delivery, returns, and customer service. Its breadth of selection and integration with Prime have made it a central platform for online shopping in many markets.

• Amazon PrimeSubscription service2005

  Prime is a paid membership program that began with expedited shipping and later expanded into a bundle of delivery, entertainment, reading, music, gaming, grocery, and other benefits. Offerings vary by country, but the strategic purpose is consistent: increase customer loyalty, purchase frequency, and engagement across Amazon’s broader ecosystem.

• Amazon Web ServicesCloud computing2006

  AWS provides on-demand cloud infrastructure and platform services, including compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, security, machine learning, custom silicon, and generative-AI tools. It originated from Amazon’s effort to standardize and commercialize the infrastructure it had built to operate its retail business.

• KindleE-reader and digital publishing2007

  Kindle is Amazon’s electronic-reading ecosystem, consisting of dedicated e-readers, digital books, reading applications, and publishing services. The product connects hardware with Amazon’s digital bookstore and helped make electronic books a mainstream consumer format.

• Alexa and EchoVoice assistant and smart-home devices2014

  Alexa is Amazon’s voice and artificial-intelligence assistant, while Echo devices provide hardware interfaces for voice interaction, entertainment, smart-home control, communications, and information services. Alexa+ represents Amazon’s newer generative-AI direction for the assistant.

• Fire TVStreaming hardware and platform2014

  Fire TV combines streaming devices, smart televisions, software, advertising, and access to Prime Video and other entertainment applications. It extends Amazon’s media ecosystem into the living room and provides a distribution channel for streaming content and advertising.

• TwitchLive-streaming platform2014

  Twitch is a livestreaming and community platform focused historically on gaming, esports, creative content, and interactive broadcasts. Amazon acquired Twitch to deepen its relationship with gaming audiences and to add a high-engagement media service to its portfolio.

• Prime Video and Amazon MGM StudiosStreaming and filmed entertainment2006

  Prime Video distributes licensed and original television, films, sports, and other programming. Amazon MGM Studios develops and owns entertainment content, while the MGM acquisition added a large historical library and established franchises to Amazon’s streaming strategy.

• Fulfillment by AmazonLogistics and seller services2006

  Fulfillment by Amazon allows third-party sellers to store inventory in Amazon facilities and use Amazon for picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns. It supports Prime eligibility and integrates marketplace selling with Amazon’s logistics infrastructure.

• Alexa for ShoppingAgentic artificial intelligence2026

  Alexa for Shopping is Amazon’s conversational and agentic shopping experience, developed from Rufus. It can answer product questions, compare options, personalize recommendations, identify products, assist with cart building, and support purchasing workflows across Amazon and, for some features, other online stores.

• 2020Climate Pledge Friendly

  United States · Selected international markets

  Climate Pledge Friendly labels and merchandising were introduced to help customers identify products associated with recognized sustainability certifications or Amazon’s own environmental standards.

  Outcome. The program expanded Amazon’s sustainability messaging from corporate operations into product discovery and retail merchandising.

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• 2019The Climate Pledge

  Global

  Amazon and Global Optimism introduced The Climate Pledge as a commitment to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement ten years early, supported by renewable-energy investment, fleet changes, packaging initiatives, and other programs.

  Outcome. The pledge became a major part of Amazon’s sustainability positioning and an external coalition intended to encourage other companies to adopt comparable emissions commitments.

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• 2015Prime Day

  Global

  Prime Day is Amazon’s recurring promotional shopping event built around member-only discounts, timed product launches, and concentrated traffic across the marketplace.

  Outcome. It became a major annual retail event and a mechanism for driving Prime sign-ups, seller participation, advertising demand, and customer engagement.

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• 2005Amazon Prime

  United States · International markets

  Prime was launched as a membership proposition built around fast, predictable shipping. Amazon later used the program to bundle video, music, reading, gaming, grocery, and other services.

  Outcome. The program became a central customer-retention and ecosystem strategy, although its enrollment, cancellation, pricing, and advertising practices have also attracted regulatory scrutiny.

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• 2026Integrate Rufus and Alexa+ as Alexa for ShoppingProduct launch

  Amazon was developing conversational and agentic interfaces to make product discovery, evaluation, and purchasing more personalized.

  What changed. Amazon renamed Rufus as Alexa for Shopping and combined shopping-oriented capabilities with Alexa+ experiences.

  Aftermath. The decision positioned artificial intelligence as a more visible interface layer across Amazon’s retail, device, and assistant businesses.

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• 2021Transition from Bezos to Jassy leadershipGeneration change

  After more than two decades under Jeff Bezos as chief executive, Amazon prepared a leadership transition while retaining Bezos in a senior governance and strategic role.

  What changed. Andy Jassy became president and chief executive officer, and Bezos became executive chair.

  Aftermath. The transition placed a long-time AWS leader at the head of the full company and highlighted cloud computing, operational discipline, and artificial intelligence as strategic priorities.

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• 2017Acquire Whole Foods MarketM&A

  Amazon sought to expand its grocery presence and connect digital commerce, physical stores, delivery, and customer data.

  What changed. Amazon acquired Whole Foods Market and integrated aspects of grocery shopping with Prime and Amazon’s delivery ecosystem.

  Aftermath. The transaction gave Amazon a substantial physical retail footprint and made grocery a more prominent part of its omnichannel strategy.

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• 2014Acquire TwitchM&A

  Live gaming video had become a high-engagement digital-media category with strong communities and advertising potential.

  What changed. Amazon agreed to acquire Twitch for approximately $970 million in cash, subject to transaction adjustments and closing conditions.

  Aftermath. Twitch became Amazon’s principal gaming livestreaming platform and strengthened its connection with gamers, creators, esports, and interactive entertainment.

  Announced transaction value. Approximately $970 million in cash (2014 announcement)

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• 2012Acquire Kiva SystemsM&A

  Amazon needed greater fulfillment capacity and more efficient movement of inventory as order volumes and product selection expanded.

  What changed. The company acquired Kiva Systems and incorporated warehouse robotics into its fulfillment strategy.

  Aftermath. The acquisition accelerated Amazon’s use of mobile robots and automation while also intensifying public debate about the relationship between technology, productivity, and warehouse work.

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• 2006Commercialize internal infrastructure through AWSStrategy

  Amazon’s retail operations required scalable computing and storage systems, and the company recognized that other organizations faced similar infrastructure constraints.

  What changed. Amazon launched cloud infrastructure services, beginning with products such as Amazon S3 and expanding into compute, databases, networking, security, analytics, and artificial intelligence.

  Aftermath. AWS developed into a global cloud platform and a major strategic pillar of Amazon.

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• 2005Launch Amazon PrimeStrategy

  Amazon sought to make delivery speed a membership benefit and to increase customer loyalty and repeat purchasing.

  What changed. The company introduced a paid membership offering expedited shipping and later expanded it with digital and lifestyle benefits.

  Aftermath. Prime became one of Amazon’s most important customer ecosystems and a foundation for subsequent subscription, logistics, and media investments.

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• 2026Fair Credit Reporting Act settlementControversy

  The Department of Justice announced a $2.25 million civil penalty and injunction resolving allegations that Amazon did not provide certain identity-theft victims with requested transaction records within the required time.

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• 2025Prime enrollment and cancellation settlementControversy

  The FTC announced a $2.5 billion settlement resolving allegations that Amazon enrolled consumers in Prime without adequate consent and made cancellation difficult. The allegations were resolved through a court-entered settlement rather than a trial judgment on every disputed claim.

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• 2024Warehouse ergonomic and safety scrutinyControversy

  OSHA and the Department of Labor pursued enforcement concerning ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal injury risks at Amazon facilities. A corporate-wide settlement required additional ergonomic measures.

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• 2023FTC antitrust lawsuitControversy

  The FTC and 17 state attorneys general alleged that Amazon used anti-discounting measures, fulfillment requirements, search and advertising practices, and seller fees to maintain monopoly power in online retail and marketplace services.

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• 2026Amazon expands generative and agentic shopping features

  Amazon reported expanded use of Rufus, visual shopping tools, and agentic purchasing features, while integrating shopping capabilities with Alexa+ under the Alexa for Shopping name.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2026Rufus is renamed Alexa for Shopping

  Amazon combined its generative shopping assistant and Alexa+ capabilities into a shopping-oriented experience called Alexa for Shopping.

  Product generationProduct launch
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• 2025Amazon.in promoted an expanded Great Indian Festival program

  Amazon India announced early deals ahead of the Great Indian Festival, describing discounts across categories, Prime-member early access, AI-supported shopping tools, expanded logistics and bundled entertainment-related benefits.

  CampaignPricing
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• 2024Morrisons loyalty points become available through Amazon.co.uk purchases

  A partnership enabled customers to earn Morrisons More points from eligible Amazon.co.uk purchases and redeem them through the Morrisons loyalty programme.

  CampaignOther
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• 2024Amazon.in introduced Creator Central for influencers

  Amazon.in launched Creator Central, a feature intended to make content creation easier for participants in the Amazon Influencer Program. The rollout was reported to cover more than 50,000 associated creators over the following weeks.

  Product launch
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• 2023Amazon announces major corporate job cuts

  Amazon announced more than 18,000 job reductions, primarily affecting consumer retail and human-resources roles, as part of a cost-reduction effort.

  Leadership changeOther
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• 2022Amazon acquires MGM for Prime Video and Amazon Studios

  MGM joined Amazon’s entertainment operations, adding a large film and television library and strengthening Amazon’s streaming and studio strategy.

  M&A
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• 2022Amazon completes acquisition of MGM

  Amazon completed its acquisition of MGM, expanding its film and television library and strengthening the content base associated with Prime Video.

  M&A
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• 2021Amazon names Andy Jassy president and chief executive officer as Jeff Bezos becomes executive chair

  Amazon announced a planned leadership transition in which Andy Jassy, who had led AWS, became chief executive officer and Jeff Bezos moved to the executive chair position.

  Leadership change
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• 2021Amazon announces Jeff Bezos will step down as CEO

  Amazon announced that founder Jeff Bezos would leave the chief executive role and become executive chairman, with AWS leader Andy Jassy succeeding him.

  Leadership change
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• 2019Amazon cancels planned New York HQ2 site

  Following political opposition, Amazon withdrew its plan to build one part of its proposed second headquarters in New York City.

  Other
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• 2017Amazon acquires Whole Foods Market

  Amazon announced its acquisition of Whole Foods Market, extending its retail platform into physical grocery stores.

  M&A
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• 1998Amazon.co.uk launches in the United Kingdom

  Amazon replaced the Bookpages service following its acquisition of Bookpages Ltd and launched a UK online bookstore with more than 1.4 million titles.

  Product launch
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• 1997Amazon goes public

  Amazon completed its initial public offering, listing on Nasdaq and gaining capital for expansion beyond books.

  Other
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• Amazon’s retail-media advertising ecosystem expands

  Coverage describes the expansion of sponsored ads, Amazon DSP, video, audio, attribution, and campaign-measurement tools across Amazon’s retail and media properties.

  Product launchCampaign
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• Amazon and Barclays launch a co-branded UK credit card

  Amazon and Barclays announced a UK co-branded credit-card product offering customer perks linked to the Amazon relationship.

  Product launchOther
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• Amazon expands a customer donation campaign addressing hygiene poverty in Scotland

  Amazon announced an expansion of a donation initiative involving household brands and customer participation to support people facing difficulty affording essential hygiene products in Scotland.

  CampaignOther
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• Amazon.in promoted a Valentine’s Day shopping store

  The platform promoted a curated Valentine’s Day storefront covering gifts and related products such as chocolates, flowers, electronics, fashion, beauty products and e-gift cards.

  Campaign
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• Amazon.in promoted Valentine’s Day smartphone offers

  A reported Valentine’s Day promotion featured discounts and additional bank or coupon offers on smartphones and accessories from brands including OnePlus, iQOO, Samsung and Redmi.

  CampaignPricing
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• Amazon.in ran a Protein Week promotion

  Amazon.in promoted a themed Protein Week event tied to World Protein Day, offering nutrition products and reported savings of up to 45% for different dietary and wellness goals.

  CampaignPricing
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1. Amazon Investor Relations FAQ
2. Amazon 2025 Form 10-K
3. Amazon Officers and Directors
4. Amazon’s Original 1997 Letter to Shareholders
5. Amazon Web Services: Our Origins
6. Amazon and Twitch Acquisition Announcement
7. Amazon Robotics History
8. The Climate Pledge
9. FTC Amazon Antitrust Complaint
10. U.S. Department of Labor Amazon Ergonomics Settlement
11. FTC Amazon Prime Settlement
12. Amazon Fair Credit Reporting Act Settlement
13. Amazon Alexa for Shopping
14. Associates affiliate program launches
15. Amazon Prime launches
16. Kindle introduced
17. MGM joins Amazon entertainment operations
18. Prime Day
19. Climate Pledge Friendly
20. Amazon sues the Consumer Product Safety Commission
21. Amazon workers strike in several U.S. states
22. CPSC sues Amazon over hazardous marketplace products
23. Amazon expands generative and agentic shopping features
24. Amazon.in promoted an expanded Great Indian Festival program
25. Morrisons loyalty points become available through Amazon.co.uk purchases
26. Amazon.in introduced Creator Central for influencers
27. Amazon completes acquisition of MGM
28. Amazon announces Jeff Bezos will step down as CEO
29. Amazon acquires Whole Foods Market
30. Amazon.co.uk launches in the United Kingdom
31. Amazon’s retail-media advertising ecosystem expands
32. Amazon and Barclays launch a co-branded UK credit card
33. Amazon expands a customer donation campaign addressing hygiene poverty in Scotland
34. Amazon.in promoted a Valentine’s Day shopping store
35. Amazon.in promoted Valentine’s Day smartphone offers
36. Amazon.in ran a Protein Week promotion