Amazon started as an online bookseller in 1995 and has since expanded to sell a wide range of products across seven countries through 21 fulfillment centers totaling over 9 million square feet. Through innovations like recommendations based on purchase history and user reviews, Amazon provides a personalized shopping experience for customers. It also employs a multi-level ecommerce strategy, allowing third-parties to sell products on its platform and share affiliate commissions, cementing its role as a global online marketplace.