Source: Amazon Press Release
Published: June 1999

They’d Have Locked Us Up As Dangerous

Circulated: November 5, 2019

In October 1997, Amazon.com became the first Internet retailer to serve 1 million customers, and its cumulative customer base has grown tenfold in 21 months — equivalent to the population of Greece.

“If anyone had predicted in 1995 that we’d have 10 million Amazonians by now, they’d have been locked up as dangerous. We certainly didn’t expect it, and we’re extremely grateful. We’re celebrating — but quickly — and taking this opportunity to re-commit ourselves to our customers.”

- Jeff Bezos