Amazon began as an online bookstore in 1994 and has since expanded to become the world's largest online retailer. It sells a wide range of products including books, electronics, apparel, and more. Amazon also offers services like Amazon Prime for shipping and Amazon Web Services for cloud computing. The company has built a large user base and generates revenue through various models including commissions from third-party sellers on its marketplace. Amazon's success is driven by its personalized recommendations, extensive product selection, and focus on customer experience.