Amazon Uses New Technology to Reinvent Old Business Model

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Amazon Uses New Technology to Reinvent Old Business Model

Thompson, 2013 states Amazon.com is the largest bookstore in the history of the world, the world’s largest online retailer, the largest Web-hosting company in the world, the most serious competitor to Netflix in streaming video, the fourth-most-popular tablet maker, and a sprawling international network of fulfillment centers for merchants around the world. (para 4) This paper explores the technology that has made these achievements possible.

Sears & Roebuck Did it First

In the 1890’s, Sears & Roebuck revolutionized the way Americans shop. Until that time, consumers had to visit a store to make purchases. When Sears & Roebuck introduced their catalog, they offered a new option. Consumers could make purchases from their home and the mail would deliver it to them. Sears & Roebuck became the ultimate general store, selling everything from clothing and jewelry to barns and houses. In the early 1900’s, people began moving from farms into cities and shopping changed again. With proximity it became easy to visit a store. Sears & Roebuck answered the demand by opening new stores around the company and maintained a large following for many years.

The advent of internet technology has once again changed the way consumers shop and Amazon.com has been at the forefront of that revolution. Shopping malls have lost their appeal for many consumers. People prefer to shop in the comfort of their homes, comparing prices and options. Amazon.com has made it simple and is able to quickly and seamlessly fill orders and deliver products to your door. They seem to be striving to be the go-to “one-stop-shopping” destination for consumers worldwide.

What technology makes this ...

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...nclusion

Amazon.com has used industrial automation, home computers, and internet technology to develop an entirely new way of shopping. They have an increasingly large market share and are intent upon building worldwide domination of the online marketplace. History shows many giants that fail over time as the economy continues to change. It remains to be seen if Amazon.com will continue to dominate long-term. But whether it does or not, it has changed the way all of us shop.

References

Dillow, C. (2013). Amazon aims for drone delivery. Fortune.com, 1.

Thompson, D. (2013). The riddle of Amazon. Atlantic Monthly (10727825), 312(4), 26.

Mitchell, D. (2013). Amazon’s deal with the USPS for Sunday delivery is weird. Here’s why. Retrieved from http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/11/12/amazons-deal-with-the-usps-for-sunday-deliveries-is-weird-heres-why/

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