Amazon Sales Rise 18 Percent in 4Q

Against all odds–beating a publishing recession and a lukewarm gift-buying season–Amazon’s sales climbed 18 percent compared to 2007 in the fourth quarter.

Net sales were up to $6.7 billion for that period, surpassing the $5.67 billion the company earned last year in the same quarter. The biggest jump in sales came in the Worldwide Electronics and Other General Merchandise sales, up to $2.89 billion–growing 31 percent compared to 2007.

The company’s press release also noted that Amazon Kindle digital titles increased to 45,000 at the end of the year–103 of the 112 books on the NY Times bestseller list. The company also boasted of Kindle versions for “8 of the 10 metro areas in the United States.”

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