Amazon.Com's E Business Model

Assignment 2: Amazon.com's E-Business Model

To be successful in business, Strayer graduates must not only be capable of using various technologies, they must also know how to use the Internet to exchange information with customers and vendors, research market trends, track competitors' products and pricing, and buy and sell goods and services.

Amazon.com was founded in 1994 as an online book retailer. Now, the largest retailer of books has also become the largest online retailer with a customer base of over 30 million people. Amazon competes in a vast array of markets including: books, movies, digital readers, computers, consumer electronics, pet needs, groceries, health and beauty aids, toys, clothing, jewelry, shoes, sporting goods, tools, automotive, hardware, building supply, and more. Despite their large product offering, Amazon has maintained its strong brand.

Imagine if Toys-R-Us, the largest toy retailer began selling books or if the NBA began selling hardware online. The threat of consumer confusion would rise, thus bringing into question the value of the Toys-R-Us and NBA brands. Some analysts question the wisdom of Amazon.com selling products that are typically sold in the business-to-business markets. For example, you can now purchase industrial, laboratory, and scientific supplies from Amazon.com.

Required:

1. Review the most current Amazon.com Annual Report at:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=97664&p=irol-reportsannual

2. Browse www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesAndNoble.com, and www.Borders.com.

3. Create a table to compare and contrast the Web sites: www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesAndNoble.com, and www.Borders.com, using the following criteria: functionality, design, content, originality, professionalism, and effectiveness. Include the table as an appendix to the required paper.

1. Discuss the pros and cons of Amazon's growth and diversification of business and specialization, and make recommendations about what Amazon could have done differently.

Amazon has been enormously successful in their growth and diversification. They are one of the worlds largest retailers and have not been shy about breaking into the new markets, books, movies, electronics, apparel and most recently internet computing services. Amazon has grown and revolved with the growth of the internet. They market their website to a audience that is typically