Amazon 2Q sales rise 35%

SEATTLE Amazon.com Inc. Tuesday announced that net sales increase 35% to $2.89 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, compared with $2.14 billion in the second quarter 2006. Operating income increased 149% to $116 million in the second quarter, compared with $47 million in second quarter 2006. Net income increased 257% to $78 million in the second quarter, or 19 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $22 million, or 5 cents per diluted share in second quarter 2006.

Amazon founder and ceo, Jeff Bezos, attributed the company's second quarter results to the success of Amazon Prime, a membership program that gives subscribers to get unlimited, express two-day shipping for free, with no minimum purchase requirement. 

"More and more customers are taking advantage of Amazon Prime and we're pleased with the acceleration in subscriber growth this quarter," said Bezos.