AMZN » Topics » Certain Definitions and Other

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Jan 28, 2010.

Certain Definitions and Other

Segment Reporting

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and www.amazon.cn. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

Customer Accounts

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including www.amazon.cn customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

Seller Accounts

 

   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

Registered Developers

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

Units

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide – such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

 

Page 1 of 2


Cash Flows and Return on Invested Capital

 

   

Free cash flow is cash flow from operations reduced by purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

Tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions are reported as financing cash flows.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing-twelve-month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

Net Sales

 

   

Revenue is generally recorded gross for sales of our own inventory and net for sales by other sellers. Amounts paid in advance for subscription services, including amounts received for Amazon Prime and other membership programs, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the subscription term.

 

   

For our products with multiple elements, where a standalone value for each element cannot be established, we recognize the revenue and related cost over the estimated economic life of the product.

Cost of Sales

 

   

Cost of sales consists of the purchase price of consumer products and content sold by us, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging supplies, and costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment and customer service centers on behalf of other businesses.

Fulfillment

 

   

Fulfillment costs represent those costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment and customer service centers, including costs attributable to buying, receiving, inspecting, and warehousing inventories; picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders for shipment; payment processing and related transaction costs, including costs associated with our guarantee for certain seller transactions; and responding to inquiries from customers.

Marketing

 

   

Marketing consists primarily of online advertising, including through our Associates program, sponsored search, portal advertising, and other initiatives.

 

   

Marketing expenses also consist of public relations expenditures; payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing, business development, and selling activities; and to a lesser extent, traditional advertising.

Technology and Content

 

   

Technology and content expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in, application development, category expansion, editorial content, buying, merchandising selection, and systems support, as well as costs associated with the compute, storage and telecommunications infrastructure used internally and supporting Amazon Web Services.

 

   

A significant majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the United States and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment.

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Oct 22, 2009.

Certain Definitions and Other

Segment Reporting

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock- based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and www.amazon.cn. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

Customer Accounts

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including www.amazon.cn customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

Seller Accounts

 

   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

Registered Developers

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

Units

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide – such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

 

Page 11 of 12


Cash Flows and Return on Invested Capital

 

   

Free cash flow is cash flow from operations reduced by purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

Tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions are reported as financing cash flows.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing-twelve-month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

Net Sales

 

   

Revenue is generally recorded gross for sales of our own inventory and net for sales by other sellers. Amounts paid in advance for subscription services, including amounts received for Amazon Prime and other membership programs, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the subscription term. For our products with multiple elements, where a standalone value for each element cannot be established, we recognize the revenue and related cost over the estimated economic life of the product.

Cost of Sales

 

   

Cost of sales consists of the purchase price of consumer products and content sold by us, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging supplies, and costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment and customer service centers on behalf of other businesses.

Fulfillment

 

   

Fulfillment costs relate to variable costs corresponding with sales volume and inventory levels; our mix of product sales; payment processing and related transaction costs, including mix of payment methods and costs from our guarantee for certain seller transactions; and costs from expanding fulfillment capacity.

Marketing

 

   

Marketing consists primarily of online advertising, including through our Associates program, sponsored search, portal advertising, e-mail campaigns, and other initiatives.

Technology and Content

 

   

Technology and content expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in application development, category expansion, editorial content, buying, merchandising selection, and systems support, as well as costs associated with the compute, storage and telecommunications infrastructure.

 

   

A significant majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the United States and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment.

 

Contacts:   
Amazon.com Investor Relations    Amazon.com Public Relations
Rob Eldridge, 206/266-2171    Craig Berman, 206/266-7180
www.amazon.com/ir   

 

Page 12 of 12

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Jul 23, 2009.

Certain Definitions and Other

Segment Reporting

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr and www.amazon.cn. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

Customer Accounts

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including www.amazon.cn customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

Seller Accounts

 

   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

Registered Developers

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

Units

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide — such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

 

Page 11 of 12


Cash Flows and Return on Invested Capital

 

   

Free cash flow is cash flow from operations reduced by purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

SFAS 123(R) requires the reporting of tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions as financing cash flows.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing twelve month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

Net Sales

 

   

Revenue is generally recorded gross for sales of our own inventory and net for sales by other sellers. Amounts paid in advance for subscription services, including amounts received for Amazon Prime and other membership programs, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the subscription term. For our products with multiple elements, where a standalone value for each element cannot be established, we recognize the revenue and related cost over the estimated economic life of the product.

Cost of Sales

 

   

Cost of sales consists of the purchase price of consumer products and content sold by us, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging supplies, and costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment and customer service centers on behalf of other businesses.

Fulfillment

 

   

Fulfillment costs relate to variable costs corresponding with sales volume and inventory levels; our mix of product sales; payment processing and related transaction costs, including mix of payment methods and costs from our guarantee for certain seller transactions; and costs from expanding fulfillment capacity.

Marketing

 

   

Marketing consists primarily of online advertising, including through our Associates program, sponsored search, portal advertising, e-mail campaigns, and other initiatives.

Technology and Content

 

   

Technology and content expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in application development, category expansion, editorial content, buying, merchandising selection and systems support, as well as costs associated with the compute, storage and telecommunications infrastructure.

 

   

A significant majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the United States and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment.

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Apr 23, 2009.

Certain Definitions and Other

Segment Reporting

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and www.amazon.cn. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

Customer Accounts

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including www.amazon.cn customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve month period.

Seller Accounts

 

   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve month period.

Units

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide – such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music, and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

Cash Flows and Return on Invested Capital

 

   

Free cash flow is cash flow from operations reduced by purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

SFAS 123(R) requires the reporting of tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions as financing cash flows.

 

Page 11 of 12


   

Return on invested capital is trailing twelve month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

Net Sales

 

   

Revenue is generally recorded gross for sales of our own inventory and net for sales by other sellers. Amounts paid in advance for subscription services, including amounts received for Amazon Prime and other membership programs, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the subscription term. For our products with multiple elements, where a standalone value for each element cannot be established, we recognize the revenue and related cost over the estimated economic life of the product.

Cost of Sales

 

   

Cost of sales consists of the purchase price of consumer products and content sold by us, inbound and outbound shipping charges, packaging supplies, and costs incurred in operating and staffing our fulfillment and customer service centers on behalf of other businesses.

Fulfillment

 

   

Fulfillment costs relate to variable costs corresponding with sales volume and inventory levels; our mix of product sales; payment processing and related transaction costs, including mix of payment methods and costs from our guarantee for certain seller transactions; and costs from expanding fulfillment capacity.

Marketing

 

   

Marketing consists primarily of online advertising, including through our Associates program, sponsored search, portal advertising, e-mail campaigns, and other initiatives.

Technology and Content

 

   

Technology and content expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for employees involved in application development, category expansion, editorial content, buying, merchandising selection and systems support, as well as costs associated with the compute, storage, and telecommunications infrastructure.

 

   

A significant majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the United States and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment.

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Jan 29, 2009.

Certain Definitions and Other

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. A significant majority of our technology costs are incurred in the U.S. and most of them are allocated to our North America segment.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and www.amazon.cn. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

 

   

Operating cash flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, including cash outflows for interest and excluding excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Free cash flow is operating cash flow less cash outflows for purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

Operating cycle is number of days of sales in inventory plus number of days of sales in trade accounts receivable minus accounts payable days. Accounts payable days are calculated as the quotient of ending accounts payable to cost of sales, multiplied by the number of days in the period. Inventory turns are calculated as the quotient of trailing-twelve-month cost of sales to average inventory over five quarter ends.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing-twelve-month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including www.amazon.cn customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

Page 16 of 17


   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide – such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Oct 22, 2008.

Certain Definitions and Other

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. A significant majority of our technology costs are incurred in the U.S. and most of them are allocated to our North America segment.

 

Page 17 of 19


   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com, www.audible.com, www.shopbop.com, www.endless.com and www.amazon.ca; from our Amazon Prime membership program; and from non-retail activities such as our North America-focused Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and marketing and promotional agreements. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and our Joyo Amazon websites at www.joyo.cn and www.amazon.cn; from our Amazon Prime membership program; and from non-retail activities such as internationally-focused Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, marketing and promotional agreements. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

 

   

Operating cash flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, including cash outflows for interest and excluding excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Free cash flow is operating cash flow less cash outflows for purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

Operating cycle is number of days of sales in inventory plus number of days of sales in trade accounts receivable minus accounts payable days. Accounts payable days are calculated as the quotient of ending accounts payable to cost of sales, multiplied by the number of days in the period. Inventory turns are calculated as the quotient of trailing-twelve-month cost of sales to average inventory over five quarter ends.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing-twelve-month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including Joyo.com customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

   

References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers.

 

Page 18 of 19


 

Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide — such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and the Joyo Amazon websites at www.joyo.cn and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

 

Contacts:

    
Amazon.com Investor Relations      Amazon.com Public Relations
Rob Eldridge, 206/266-2171, ir@amazon.com      Patty Smith, 206/266-7180
www.amazon.com/ir     

 

Page 19 of 19

This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Jul 23, 2008.

Certain Definitions and Other

 

   

We present segment information for North America and International. We measure operating results of our segments using an internal performance measure of direct segment operating expenses that excludes stock-based compensation and other operating expense, each of which is not allocated to segment results. Other centrally incurred operating costs are fully allocated to segment results. Our operating results, particularly for the International segment, are affected by

 

Page 16 of 18


 

movements in foreign exchange rates. A significant majority of our technology costs are incurred in the U.S. and most of them are allocated to our North America segment.

 

   

The North America segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com, www.audible.com, www.shopbop.com, www.endless.com and www.amazon.ca; from our Amazon Prime membership program; and from non-retail activities such as our North America-focused Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and marketing and promotional agreements. This segment includes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

The International segment consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally focused websites such as www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, and our Joyo Amazon websites at www.joyo.cn and www.amazon.cn; from our Amazon Prime membership program; and from non-retail activities such as internationally-focused Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, marketing and promotional agreements. This segment includes export sales from these internationally based sites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S. and Canada), but excludes export sales from www.amazon.com and www.amazon.ca.

 

   

We provide supplemental sales information within each segment for three categories: Media, Electronics and Other General Merchandise, and Other. Media consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers in categories such as books, movies, music, digital downloads, software and video games (including game consoles). Electronics and Other General Merchandise consists of amounts earned from retail sales from all sellers of items in categories not included in Media, such as electronics and computers, devices, home and garden, toys, kids and baby, grocery, apparel, shoes and jewelry, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, tools, and auto and industrial. Other consists of non-retail activities, such as the Amazon Enterprise Solutions program, Amazon Web Services, and miscellaneous marketing and promotional activities, such as our co-branded credit card programs.

 

   

Operating cash flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, including cash outflows for interest and excluding excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Free cash flow is operating cash flow less cash outflows for purchases of fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development.

 

   

Operating cycle is number of days of sales in inventory plus number of days of sales in trade accounts receivable minus accounts payable days. Accounts payable days are calculated as the quotient of ending accounts payable to cost of sales, multiplied by the number of days in the period. Inventory turns are calculated as the quotient of trailing-twelve-month cost of sales to average inventory over five quarter ends.

 

   

Return on invested capital is trailing-twelve-month free cash flow divided by average total assets less current liabilities (excluding current portion of our long-term debt) over five quarter ends.

 

   

References to customers mean customer accounts, which are unique e-mail addresses, established either when a customer’s initial order is shipped or when a customer orders from other sellers on our websites. Customer accounts exclude certain customers, including customers associated with certain of our acquisitions (including Joyo.com customers), Amazon Enterprise Solutions program customers, Amazon.com Payments customers, Amazon Web Services customers, and the customers of select companies with whom we have a technology alliance or marketing and promotional relationship. Customers are considered active when they have placed an order during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

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References to sellers means seller accounts, which are established when a seller receives an order from a customer account. Seller accounts exclude Amazon Enterprise Solutions sellers. Sellers are considered active when they have received an order from a customer during the preceding twelve-month period.

 

   

References to registered developers mean cumulative registered developer accounts, which are established when potential developers enroll with Amazon Web Services and receive a developer access key.

 

   

References to units mean physical and digital units sold (net of returns and cancellations) by us and sellers at Amazon.com domains worldwide – such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and the Joyo Amazon websites at www.joyo.cn and www.amazon.cn, as well as Amazon.com-owned items sold through non-Amazon.com domains, such as books, music and movie items ordered from Amazon.com’s store at www.target.com. Units sold do not include units associated with certain of our acquisitions or Amazon.com gift certificates.

 

Contacts:

 
Amazon.com Investor Relations  

Amazon.com Public Relations

Rob Eldridge, 206/266-2171, ir@amazon.com

  Patty Smith, 206/266-7180

www.amazon.com/ir

 

 

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