The name Amazon is an afterthought. “Cadabra” was Jeff Bezos’ first choice but his lawyer pointed out that the word is ambiguous, it being associated with what is uttered when performing magic, ie, abracadabra. The replacement is a better choice: Amazon, for the largest river.

Amazon is best known for online retail. When people started working from home and lockdowns became the norm here in Canada, it took off as the better alternative to the acquisition of reading materials, videos, computer software, kitchen accessories, practically anything you can think of.

In my building, Amazon deliveries abound seven days a week. While Canada Post rests during the weekends, Amazon drivers do not.

During the first pandemic Yule holiday, Amazon packages were seen on the doorsteps of apartments and houses, left by the drivers practicing “touchless delivery”. Even now, despite the vaccination rollout showing a successful vaccination rate here in Toronto, Amazon continues to deliver its packages the touchless way, leaving the package/s by the door and knocking, thereafter.

I’ve responded quite a few times to this knock but not before I put on my mask before opening my door. I always yell out a thank you to the driver who waves back as he waits for the elevator, cart in tow, filled with packages for deliveries to other floors.

Ironic that Amazon would be the largest online retailer in Canada when it’s not even owned by a Canadian, but, rather, by American Jeff Bezos, its President and CEO. Not surprising, though, since the US is our largest trading partner. Globally, we rank 18 in Amazon sales, with a net sales of US$7,390.7M in 2020.

Akansha Rana and Jeffrey Dastin of Global News of April 19, 2021 reported Amazon sales increased by 44% in the first quarter of this year, the company’s biggest profit ever. For four consecutive quarters, Amazon added more than 200 million Prime loyalty clients and employed over half a million workers to keep up with the increased consumer demand. However, not everything is rosy in this billion dollar business.

Joseph Pissani and Anne D’Innocenzio of Associated Press lists major challenges the company faces. One is the concern with which Amazon conducts its business which has been the object of federal and state anti-trust investigations.

Another involves how the company treats its employees, many of whom have protested over lack of personal protection equipment in the warehouses where they work, thus, causing major Covid outbreaks like the one in Brampton, Ontario.

In addition, despite its large workforce, Amazon has no labor union, adding to the dissatisfaction of its workers. On July 5th, Bezos will step down as CEO and pass the baton on to Andy Jassy, a key executive at Amazon.

Mark Sullivan of Fast Company, in his article dated February 3, 2021, touches on the role of Bezos after he steps down as the company’s CEO. While Bezos projects himself as a space traveller, he will continue to maintain an active role in the operation of Amazon. Creative Strategies principle analyst Tim Bajarin sees him as being involved in any future major strategic decisions in the company as its Executive Chairman.

Amazon has grown impressively since its inception in a garage in Bellevue, Washington state in July 1994. Starting as an online retailer of books, it expanded remarkably into selling anything from A to Z. As of 2020, it has the highest global brand valuation with a renowned logo, an arrow pointing upward, looking like a smile.

I’m old fashioned when it comes to clothes and shoes. I prefer to shop in person for these. But I’ve tested Amazon on orders relating to books, DVDs, DVD players, and I like what has been delivered to my doorstep. The swiftness that went with my orders was impressive. At my age, I didn’t think I could go for online shopping but I’m gravitating towards it now that Toronto has been having these lockdowns.

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