World's Largest Bookstores 

Amazon story

This online book retailer was founded in 1994, online since July 1995. Amazon started business with a UNIX server, a few PCs and a handful of  smart staff worked in the garage of the company founder. 

The growth and expand speed of this small business is stunning, almost impossible for a physical local bookstore. 

In the first 30 days, Amazon shipped books to 50 States and 66 countries.  Now they ship books to over 100 countries.                                                                               Revenue has grown at 3000% annually.                                                                         The company has moved several times, from a 500 sq. foot space to a55,000 sq.foot building and now has 180 employees.                                                                                 The online bookstore allow customers to search 2.5 million books by author, title, subject or keyword. They even offer "out of print" books. 

Today when you surfing the internet, the appearance of Amazon is very strong in USA and Europe. 

How could they reach such a dramatic achievement? 

Amazon said: 

"If you want to start successful internet-based business, the value proposition you offer your customers must be incredibley high." 

"Most of our customers are used to buying books in bookstores. Why did they change their behavior and purchase from Amazon online?                                                              Amazon offers a very compelling value proposition: Six times more books, lower prices, expert advice about books, great customer service and the convenience of shopping from home." 

Brother's BookServe, GameServe and VideoServe 

In 1995, Michael and David Mason, aged 26 and 23, started the BookServe online bookstore in their parent's garage in Tennessee with $20,000 stake. 

BookServe displayed 1.2 million book titles online, and guarantee delivery in 24 hours in USA, in 48 hours in Europe. 

Sales have increased steadily by 20% per month. They moved out of the family garage after several months, and continually expand. 

They switched from a small window NT server to IBM's OS/390 with Net Commerce and DB2. 

Now their company is named SuperServe.com, with 3 online superstores. 

With BookServe provides 1.4 million books. 

GameServe selling 10,000 games and 1,000 accessories. 

VideoServe  provides 120,000 movies, DVDs and laserdiscs. 

The Mason brothers remember:"personal contact with each customer is important." 

Every order triggers an immediate e mail confirmation, detailing what was ordered, when it will ship, and how it will arrive in the customer's hands. A second message provides the customer a tracking number.. Over time, the personalized communications with each customer will establish the individual preference data.