*Amazon.com Inc. announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2008. Net sales increased 37% to $4.13 billion in the first quarter, compared with $3.02 billion in first quarter 2007. Excluding the $0.18 billion favorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales grew 31% compared with first quarter 2007. Net income increased 30% to $143 million in the first quarter, compared with net income of $111 million in first quarter 2007.

Some interesting factoids picked out of Amazon.com's press release include:

• The number of sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon increased by more than 50% compared with fourth quarter 2007
• North America segment sales, representing the Company's U.S. and Canadian sites, were $2.13 billion, up 31% from first quarter 2007.
• International segment sales, representing the Company's U.K., German, Japanese, French and Chinese sites, were $2.01 billion, up 44% from first quarter 2007, and increased to 49% of worldwide net sales compared with 46%. Excluding the favorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, International sales grew 31%.
• Worldwide Media sales grew 28% to $2.54 billion in first quarter 2008, compared with $1.99 billion in first quarter 2007.
• Worldwide Electronics & Other General Merchandise sales grew 56% to $1.48 billion in first quarter 2008, compared with $0.95 billion in first quarter 2007, and increased to 36% of worldwide net sales compared with 31%.

"Our sales growth this quarter was driven by low prices and millions of in-stock items available for immediate shipment," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "We're grateful to our customers."