As lockdowns descended and grocery stores emptied, Amazon’s business boomed. The company—which has been pioneering online shopping since 1994—posted its highest-ever profits last summer and is now the second largest company in the U.S., with more than 1 million employees, having added over 400,000 jobs in 2020 alone. However, its size has continued to raise concerns about its business practices and economic dominance. Founder Jeff Bezos testified in front of Congress for anti-trust hearings last summer, and warehouse unionization efforts are expected to continue, despite a recent defeat in Bessemer, Ala. In February, Bezos, who is worth a reported $179 billion, announced he’s stepping down as CEO, but promised Amazon will continue to expand.
2021 TIME100 Most Influential Companies
