Amazon.com (AMZN) 10-Q 24 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 15, 2014
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'AMZN	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMAZON COM INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001018724	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	463,006,452

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$5,057	$3,704	$8,658	$8,084	$3,872	$2,980
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-437	-41	-455	34	-216	132
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, and other amortization	1,247	834	3,366	2,291	4,329	2,953
Stock-based compensation	377	281	1,089	808	1,414	1,043
Other operating expense (income), net	31	11	93	74	133	110
Losses (gains) on sales of marketable securities, net	-3	1	-4	1	-3	0
Other expense (income), net	42	5	-16	115	36	214
Deferred income taxes	-270	11	-503	-47	-613	-195
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0	-121	0	-199	-239
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventories	-845	-586	-54	-80	-1,383	-1,054
Accounts receivable, net and other	-362	-125	66	393	-1,173	-632
Accounts payable	1,724	947	-3,294	-3,240	1,834	1,686
Accrued expenses and other	4	-72	-742	-853	847	558
Additions to unearned revenue	1,069	672	3,055	1,872	3,874	2,417
Amortization of previously unearned revenue	-811	-550	-2,353	-1,471	-3,175	-2,016
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,766	1,388	127	-103	5,705	4,977
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development	-1,378	-1,038	-3,748	-2,565	-4,628	-4,589
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and other	-860	-1	-926	-252	-986	-287
Sales and maturities of marketable securities and other investments	1,439	494	2,994	1,791	3,509	2,296
Purchases of marketable securities and other investments	-147	-518	-920	-2,406	-1,339	-3,934
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-946	-1,063	-2,600	-3,432	-3,444	-6,514
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0	121	0	199	239
Proceeds from long-term debt and other	28	25	379	132	628	3,189
Repayments of long-term debt, capital lease, and finance lease obligations	-440	-255	-1,277	-728	-1,547	-858
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-412	-230	-777	-596	-720	2,570
Foreign-currency effect on cash and cash equivalents	-207	73	-150	-81	-155	-141
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	201	168	-3,400	-4,212	1,386	892
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	5,258	3,872	5,258	3,872	5,258	3,872
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest on long-term debt	7	8	56	60	93	70
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds)	38	23	148	143	173	195
Assets Held under Capital Leases	'	'	'	'	'	'
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment acquired	1,158	526	2,794	1,313	3,347	1,552
Assets Held under Build-To-Suit Leases	'	'	'	'	'	'
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment acquired	$343	$269	$707	$663	$920	$647

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net product sales	$16,022	$13,808	$46,978	$39,831
Net service sales	4,557	3,284	12,681	9,034
Total net sales	20,579	17,092	59,659	48,865
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	14,627	12,366	42,080	35,375
Fulfillment	2,643	2,034	7,342	5,667
Marketing	993	694	2,806	2,001
Technology and content	2,423	1,734	6,639	4,703
General and administrative	406	278	1,110	810
Other operating expense (income), net	31	11	94	74
Total operating expenses	21,123	17,117	60,071	48,630
Income (loss) from operations	-544	-25	-412	235
Interest income	9	9	31	28
Interest expense	-49	-36	-136	-102
Other income (expense), net	-50	9	-23	-107
Total non-operating income (expense)	-90	-18	-128	-181
Income (loss) before income taxes	-634	-43	-540	54
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	205	12	38	18
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	-8	-10	47	-38
Net income (loss)	($437)	($41)	($455)	$34
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	($0.95)	($0.09)	($0.99)	$0.08
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	($0.95)	($0.09)	($0.99)	$0.07
Weighted average shares used in computation of earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	463	457	461	456
Diluted (in shares)	463	457	461	464

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fulfillment	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$93	$70	$278	$213
Marketing	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	32	23	91	63
Technology and content	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	204	154	579	428
General and administrative	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$48	$34	$141	$104

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	($437)	($41)	($455)	$34
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(1), $(1), $0 and $(14)	-248	111	-209	41
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $2, $(1), $1 and $3	-1	1	2	-8
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” net of tax of $(1), $0, $(1) and $(1)	-2	1	-2	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	-3	2	0	-8
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-251	113	-209	33
Comprehensive income (loss)	($688)	$72	($664)	$67

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com1

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	($1)	($1)	$0	($14)
Unrealized gains (losses), tax	2	-1	1	3
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in other income (expense), net, tax	($1)	$0	($1)	($1)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,258	$8,658
Marketable securities	1,625	3,789
Inventories	7,316	7,411
Accounts receivable, net and other	4,373	4,767
Total current assets	18,572	24,625
Property and equipment, net	15,702	10,949
Goodwill	3,332	2,655
Other assets	2,813	1,930
Total assets	40,419	40,159
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	11,811	15,133
Accrued expenses and other	7,217	6,688
Unearned revenue	1,814	1,159
Total current liabilities	20,842	22,980
Long-term debt	3,099	3,191
Other long-term liabilities	6,142	4,242
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 500 Issued and outstanding shares - none	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000 Issued shares - 486 and 483 Outstanding shares - 462 and 459	5	5
Treasury stock, at cost	-1,837	-1,837
Additional paid-in capital	10,827	9,573
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-394	-185
Retained earnings	1,735	2,190
Total stockholders’ equity	10,336	9,746
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$40,419	$40,159

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock, Issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, Outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Authorized shares	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000
Common stock, Issued shares	487,000,000	483,000,000
Common stock, Outstanding shares	463,000,000	459,000,000

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies	'
	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated balance sheets, operating results, and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for 2014 due to seasonal and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the lives of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internal-use software and website development costs, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we have a net loss, stock awards of 18 million and 17 million in Q3 2014 and Q3 2013, and 17 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, were excluded as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
	The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	463	457	461	456
	Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	—	—	—	8
	Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	463	457	461	464
	Equity-method Investments
	Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. The total of our investments in equity-method investees, including identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, and goodwill, is included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of the related intangible assets, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the net income or loss of our equity-method investees includes operating and non-operating gains and charges, which can have a significant impact on our reported equity-method investment activity and the carrying value of those investments. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce our equity-method investment carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if other investments in the investee, not accounted for under the equity method, are at-risk even if we have not committed to provide financial support to the investee. We regularly evaluate these investments, which are not carried at fair value, for other-than-temporary impairment. We also consider whether our equity-method investments generate sufficient cash flows from their operating or financing activities to meet their obligations and repay their liabilities when they come due.
	We record purchases, including incremental purchases, of shares in equity-method investees at cost. Reductions in our ownership percentage of an investee, including through dilution, are generally valued at fair value, with the difference between fair value and our recorded cost reflected as a gain or loss in our equity-method investment activity. In the event we no longer have the ability to exercise significant influence over an equity-method investee, we would discontinue accounting for the investment under the equity method.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities	'
	CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities primarily consisted of cash, U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and other investment grade securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
	Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
	We measure the fair value of money market funds and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold any cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities categorized as Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2014, or December 31, 2013.
	The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
		September 30, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Cost or		Gross		Gross			Total			Total
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Cash	$	3,022	$	—	$	—		$	3,022		$	3,008
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	2,608		—		—			2,608			5,914
	Equity securities	2		1		—			3			4
	Level 2 securities:
	Foreign government and agency securities	78		1		—			79			758
	U.S. government and agency securities	1,069		1		(2		)	1,068			2,222
	Corporate debt securities	392		1		—			393			741
	Asset-backed securities	68		—		—			68			65
	Other fixed income securities	35		—		—			35			36
		$	7,274	$	4	$	(2	)	$	7,276		$	12,748
	Less restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1)								(393		)	(301		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities								$	6,883		$	12,447
	___________________
	-1	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, real estate leases, and amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions. We classify cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
	The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	3,101	$	3,102
	Due after one year through five years	819		820
	Due after five years through ten years	121		121
	Due after ten years	209		208
	Total	$	4,250	$	4,251
	Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Commitments
	We have entered into non-cancellable operating, capital, and financing leases for equipment and office, fulfillment center, and data center facilities. Rental expense under operating lease agreements was $252 million and $197 million for Q3 2014 and Q3 2013, and $700 million and $545 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations, as of September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating and capital commitments:
	Debt principal and interest	$	222	$	1,519	$	82	$	1,081	$	69	$	1,375	$	4,348
	Capital leases, including interest	820		2,006		958		327		135		141		4,387
	Financing lease obligations, including interest	27		95		96		98		99		943		1,358
	Operating leases	225		798		745		667		582		2,470		5,487
	Unconditional purchase obligations (1)	167		475		375		300		123		28		1,468
	Other commitments (2) (3)	304		714		296		168		125		1,140		2,747
	Total commitments	$	1,765	$	5,607	$	2,552	$	2,641	$	1,133	$	6,097	$	19,795
	___________________
	-1	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to long-term agreements to acquire and license digital content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
	-2	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service and digital content liabilities associated with long-term digital content assets with initial terms greater than one year.
	-3	Excludes $626 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.
	Pledged Assets
	As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we have pledged or otherwise restricted $549 million and $482 million of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, and certain property and equipment as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, real estate leases, and amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions.
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company is involved from time to time in claims, proceedings, and litigation, including the matters described in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1 of Part I, “Financial Statements — Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings” of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the Periods Ended March 31, 2014, and June 30, 2014, as supplemented by the following:
	In April 2011, Walker Digital LLC filed several complaints against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.  The complaints allege that we infringe several of the plaintiff’s U.S. patents by, among other things, providing “cross benefits” to customers through our promotions (U.S. Patent Nos. 7,831,470 and 7,827,056), using a customer’s identified original product to offer a substitute product (U.S. Patent No. 7,236,942), using our product recommendations and personalization features to offer complementary products together (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,601,036 and 6,138,105), enabling customers to subscribe to a delivery schedule for products they routinely use at reduced prices (U.S. Patent No. 5,970,470), and offering personalized advertising based on customers’ preferences identified using a data pattern (U.S. Patent No. 7,933,893).  Another complaint, filed in the same court in October 2011, alleges that we infringe plaintiff’s U.S. Patent No. 8,041,711 by offering personalized advertising based on customer preferences that associate data with resource locators. Another complaint, filed in the same court in February 2012, alleges that we infringe plaintiff’s U.S. Patent No. 8,112,359 by using product information received from customers to identify and offer substitute products using a manufacturer database.  In January 2013, the plaintiff filed another complaint in the same court alleging that we infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,381,582 by allowing customers to make local payments for products ordered online. All of the complaints seek monetary damages, interest, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees.  In March 2013, the complaints asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 7,236,942 and 7,933,893 were voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. In April 2013, the case asserting U.S. Patent No. 8,041,711 was stayed pending final resolution of the reexamination of that patent. In June 2013, the court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss the complaints asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 7,831,470, 7,827,056, and 8,112,359 for lack of standing.  In July 2013, we filed motions seeking entry of a final judgment dismissing those claims with prejudice and for attorneys’ fees, and plaintiff filed notices of appeal from the June 2013 order granting the motions to dismiss.  In October 2013, the court ruled that its dismissals are with prejudice, and Walker has appealed those rulings. In March 2014, the court stayed the case asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 6,601,036 and 6,138,105 pending the appeal of the cases asserting U.S. Patent Nos. 7,831,470, 7,827,056, and 8,112,359. In September 2014, the court dismissed the matter asserting U.S. Patent No. 6,381,582 with prejudice.  We dispute the remaining allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters.
	The outcomes of our legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, subject to significant uncertainties, and could be material to our operating results and cash flows for a particular period.  In addition, for some matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible, an estimate of the amount of loss or range of loss is not possible and we may be unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could potentially result from the application of non-monetary remedies.
	See also “Note 8 — Income Taxes.”

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Acqu

Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL, AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	On September 25, 2014, we acquired Twitch Interactive, Inc. (“Twitch”) for approximately $842 million in cash, as adjusted for the assumption of options and other items. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we acquired certain other companies for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million. Acquisition activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was not material. We acquired Twitch because of its community and the live streaming experience it provides. The primary reasons for our other 2014 acquisitions were to acquire technologies and know-how to enable Amazon to serve customers more effectively.
	Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred and not significant. Due to the limited amount of time since the acquisition of Twitch, the valuation of certain assets and liabilities is preliminary and subject to change. The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was allocated as follows (in millions):
	Purchase Price
	Cash paid, net of cash acquired	$	813
	Stock options assumed	44
	Indemnification holdback	5
		$	862
	Allocation
	Goodwill	$	702
	Intangible assets (1):
	Marketing-related	23
	Contract-based	1
	Technology-based	33
	Customer-related	174
		231
	Property and equipment	21
	Deferred tax assets	65
	Other assets acquired	34
	Deferred tax liabilities	(90		)
	Other liabilities assumed	(101		)
		$	862
	___________________
	-1	Acquired intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and five years, with a weighted-average amortization period of five years.
	The fair value of assumed stock options of $39 million, estimated using the Black-Scholes model, will be expensed over the remaining service period. We determined the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired primarily by using the income approach. These assets are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to operating expenses on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives.
	Pro Forma Financial Information (unaudited)
	The acquired companies were consolidated into our financial statements starting on their respective acquisition dates. The aggregate net sales and operating loss of the companies acquired was $12 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The following pro forma financial information presents our results as if the current year acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 2013 (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Net sales	$	59,712		$	48,900
	Net income (loss)	$	(501	)	$	(50	)
	Goodwill
	The goodwill of the acquired companies is generally not deductible for tax purposes and is primarily related to expected improvements in sales growth from future product and service offerings and new customers, together with certain intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The following summarizes our goodwill activity in the first nine months of 2014 by segment (in millions):
		North			International			Consolidated
		America
	Goodwill - January 1, 2014	$	2,033		$	622		$	2,655
	New acquisitions (1)	544			158			702
	Other adjustments (2)	—			(25		)	(25		)
	Goodwill - September 30, 2014	$	2,577		$	755		$	3,332
	___________________
	-1	Primarily includes the goodwill of Twitch.
	-2	Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates.

EquityMethod_Investments

Equity-Method Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity-Method Investments	'
	EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENTS
	LivingSocial’s summarized condensed financial information, as provided to us by LivingSocial, is as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Statements of Operations:
	Revenue	$	215		$	289
	Gross profit	169			225
	Operating expenses	261			283
	Operating loss from continuing operations	(92		)	(58		)
	Net loss from continuing operations	(75		)	(50		)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (1)	206			(54		)
	Net income (loss)	$	131		$	(104	)
	___________________
	-1	In January 2014, LivingSocial completed the sale of its Korean operations for approximately $260 million and, in Q1 2014, recognized a gain on disposal of $205 million, net of tax. The statement of operations information above has been recast to present the Korean operations as discontinued operations.
	As of September 30, 2014, our total investment in LivingSocial is approximately 31% of voting stock and has a book value of $84 million.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	In November 2012, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured senior notes in three tranches as described in the table below (collectively, the “Notes”). As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the unamortized discount on the Notes was $20 million and $23 million. We also have other long-term debt with a carrying amount, including the current portion, of $983 million and $967 million as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013. The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions):
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	$	750		$	750
	1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	1,000			1,000
	2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	1,250			1,250
	Other long-term debt	983			967
	Total debt	3,983			3,967
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(864		)	(753		)
	Face value of long-term debt	$	3,119		$	3,214
	The effective interest rates of the 2015, 2017, and 2022 Notes were 0.84%, 1.38%, and 2.66%. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November. We may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at specified redemption prices. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes for general corporate purposes. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $2.9 billion as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, which is based on quoted prices for our publicly-traded debt as of those dates.
	The other debt, including the current portion, had a weighted average interest rate of 5.6% and 5.5% as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the debt to primarily fund certain international operations. The estimated fair value of the other long-term debt, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013.
	On September 5, 2014, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders that provides us with a borrowing capacity of up to $2.0 billion. The Credit Agreement has a term of two years, but it may be extended for up to three additional one-year terms if approved by the lenders. The initial interest rate applicable to outstanding balances under the Credit Agreement is the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.625%, under our current credit ratings. If our credit ratings are downgraded this rate could increase to as much as LIBOR plus 1.00%. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Stock Repurchase Activity
	In January 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock with no fixed expiration. We have $763 million remaining under the $2.0 billion repurchase program.
	Stock Award Activity
	Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards totaled 481 million as of September 30, 2014, and 476 million as of December 31, 2013. These totals include all vested and unvested stock awards outstanding, including those awards we estimate will be forfeited. The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Number of Units		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	16.3		$	233
	Units granted	6.6		335
	Units vested	(3.6	)	196
	Units forfeited	(1.8	)	259
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	17.5		$	276
	Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2015		2016	2017	2018	Thereafter	Total
	Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units	1.6		5.8		5.9	2.8	1.1	0.3	17.5
	As of September 30, 2014, there was $2.2 billion of net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. This compensation is recognized on an accelerated basis with approximately half of the compensation expected to be expensed in the next twelve months, and has a weighted average recognition period of 1.2 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	Our tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment.
	Our quarterly tax provision, and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, changes in how we do business, acquisitions (including integrations) and investments, audit developments, foreign currency gains (losses), changes in law, regulations, and administrative practices, and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income or loss. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.
	In 2014, our effective tax rate will be significantly affected by the favorable impact of earnings in lower tax rate jurisdictions and the adverse effect of losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions for which we may not realize a tax benefit. Income earned in lower tax jurisdictions is primarily related to our European operations, which are headquartered in Luxembourg. Losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit, primarily due to losses of foreign subsidiaries, reduce our pre-tax income without a corresponding reduction in our tax expense, and therefore increase our effective tax rate. We have recorded valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets associated with losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit. Our effective tax rate may also be adversely impacted by the amount of our pretax income, or loss, relative to our income tax expense, nondeductible expenses, and changes in tax law such as the expiration of the U.S. federal research and development credit at the end of 2013.
	Our tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $38 million, which included $82 million of discrete tax expense primarily attributable to audit-related developments. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized an income tax benefit of $18 million, which included $54 million of discrete tax benefits primarily resulting from the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development credit that was enacted in January 2013.
	Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) was $38 million and $23 million in Q3 2014 and Q3 2013, and $148 million and $143 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, tax contingencies were $626 million and $407 million. We expect the total amount of tax contingencies will grow in 2014. In addition, changes in state, federal, and foreign tax laws may increase our tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will receive additional assessments by various tax authorities or possibly reach resolution of income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements may or may not result in changes to our contingencies related to positions on prior years’ tax filings.
	We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2005 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or our net operating losses. As previously disclosed, we have received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2005 and 2006 calendar years relating to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries. The IRS is seeking to increase our U.S. taxable income by an amount that would result in additional federal tax over a seven year period beginning in 2005, totaling approximately $1.5 billion, subject to interest. To date, we have not resolved this matter administratively and, in December 2012, we petitioned the U.S. Tax Court to resolve the matter. We continue to disagree with these IRS positions and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
	Certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation or may be subject to examination or investigation by the French Tax Administration (“FTA”) for calendar year 2006 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes. While we have not yet received a final assessment from the FTA, in September 2012, we received proposed tax assessment notices for calendar years 2006 through 2010 relating to the allocation of income between foreign jurisdictions. The notices propose additional French tax of approximately $250 million, including interest and penalties through the date of the assessment. We disagree with the proposed assessment and intend to contest it vigorously. We plan to pursue all available administrative remedies at the FTA, and if we are not able to resolve this matter with the FTA, we plan to pursue judicial remedies. In addition, in October 2014, the European Commission opened a formal investigation to examine whether decisions by the tax authorities in Luxembourg with regard to the corporate income tax paid by certain of our subsidiaries comply with European Union rules on state aid. If this matter is adversely resolved, Luxembourg may be required to assess, and we may be required to pay, additional amounts with respect to current and prior periods and our taxes in the future could increase. We are also subject to taxation in various states and other foreign jurisdictions including China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. We are under, or may be subject to, audit or examination and additional assessments by these particular tax authorities for the calendar year 2003 and thereafter.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	We have organized our operations into two segments: North America and International. We present our segment information along the same lines that our Chief Executive Officer reviews our operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources.
	We allocate to segment results the operating expenses “Fulfillment,” “Marketing,” “Technology and content,” and “General and administrative,” but exclude from our allocations the portions of these expense lines attributable to stock-based compensation. We do not allocate the line item “Other operating expense (income), net” to our segment operating results. Our “Technology and content” costs included in our segments are primarily based on the geographic location of where the costs are incurred; the majority of these costs are incurred in the U.S. and included in our North America segment. There are no internal revenue transactions between our reporting segments.
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	North America
	Net sales	$	12,867		$	10,301		$	36,722		$	29,186
	Segment operating expenses (1)	12,779			10,006			35,634			28,024
	Segment operating income	$	88		$	295		$	1,088		$	1,162
	International
	Net sales	$	7,712		$	6,791		$	22,937		$	19,679
	Segment operating expenses (1)	7,936			6,819			23,254			19,724
	Segment operating income (loss)	$	(224	)	$	(28	)	$	(317	)	$	(45	)
	Consolidated
	Net sales	$	20,579		$	17,092		$	59,659		$	48,865
	Segment operating expenses (1)	20,715			16,825			58,888			47,748
	Segment operating income (loss)	(136		)	267			771			1,117
	Stock-based compensation	(377		)	(281		)	(1,089		)	(808		)
	Other operating income (expense), net	(31		)	(11		)	(94		)	(74		)
	Income (loss) from operations	(544		)	(25		)	(412		)	235
	Total non-operating income (expense)	(90		)	(18		)	(128		)	(181		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	205			12			38			18
	Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	(8		)	(10		)	47			(38		)
	Net income (loss)	$	(437	)	$	(41	)	$	(455	)	$	34
	___________________
	-1	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.
	We have aggregated our products and services into groups of similar product and services and provided the supplemental disclosure of net sales (in millions) below. We evaluate whether additional disclosure is appropriate when a product or service category begins to approach a significant level of net sales. For the periods presented no individual product or service represented more than 10% of net sales.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales:
	Media	$	5,244		$	5,033		$	15,555		$	14,488
	Electronics and other general merchandise	13,953			11,048			40,248			31,677
	Other (1)	1,382			1,011			3,856			2,700
		$	20,579		$	17,092		$	59,659		$	48,865
	___________________
	-1	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Interim Financial Information	'
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated balance sheets, operating results, and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for 2014 due to seasonal and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the lives of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internal-use software and website development costs, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method.
Equity-method Investments	'
	Equity-method Investments
	Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. The total of our investments in equity-method investees, including identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, and goodwill, is included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of the related intangible assets, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the net income or loss of our equity-method investees includes operating and non-operating gains and charges, which can have a significant impact on our reported equity-method investment activity and the carrying value of those investments. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce our equity-method investment carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if other investments in the investee, not accounted for under the equity method, are at-risk even if we have not committed to provide financial support to the investee. We regularly evaluate these investments, which are not carried at fair value, for other-than-temporary impairment. We also consider whether our equity-method investments generate sufficient cash flows from their operating or financing activities to meet their obligations and repay their liabilities when they come due.
	We record purchases, including incremental purchases, of shares in equity-method investees at cost. Reductions in our ownership percentage of an investee, including through dilution, are generally valued at fair value, with the difference between fair value and our recorded cost reflected as a gain or loss in our equity-method investment activity. In the event we no longer have the ability to exercise significant influence over an equity-method investee, we would discontinue accounting for the investment under the equity method.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Policy	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	'
	The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
	Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	463	457	461	456
	Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	—	—	—	8
	Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	463	457	461	464

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark1

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping	'
	The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
		September 30, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Cost or		Gross		Gross			Total			Total
		Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated			Estimated
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Cash	$	3,022	$	—	$	—		$	3,022		$	3,008
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	2,608		—		—			2,608			5,914
	Equity securities	2		1		—			3			4
	Level 2 securities:
	Foreign government and agency securities	78		1		—			79			758
	U.S. government and agency securities	1,069		1		(2		)	1,068			2,222
	Corporate debt securities	392		1		—			393			741
	Asset-backed securities	68		—		—			68			65
	Other fixed income securities	35		—		—			35			36
		$	7,274	$	4	$	(2	)	$	7,276		$	12,748
	Less restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1)								(393		)	(301		)
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities								$	6,883		$	12,447
	___________________
	-1	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, real estate leases, and amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions. We classify cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	'
	The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
	Due within one year	$	3,101	$	3,102
	Due after one year through five years	819		820
	Due after five years through ten years	121		121
	Due after ten years	209		208
	Total	$	4,250	$	4,251

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments Disclosure	'
	The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations, as of September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating and capital commitments:
	Debt principal and interest	$	222	$	1,519	$	82	$	1,081	$	69	$	1,375	$	4,348
	Capital leases, including interest	820		2,006		958		327		135		141		4,387
	Financing lease obligations, including interest	27		95		96		98		99		943		1,358
	Operating leases	225		798		745		667		582		2,470		5,487
	Unconditional purchase obligations (1)	167		475		375		300		123		28		1,468
	Other commitments (2) (3)	304		714		296		168		125		1,140		2,747
	Total commitments	$	1,765	$	5,607	$	2,552	$	2,641	$	1,133	$	6,097	$	19,795
	___________________
	-1	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to long-term agreements to acquire and license digital content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
	-2	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service and digital content liabilities associated with long-term digital content assets with initial terms greater than one year.
	-3	Excludes $626 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Acqu1

Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was allocated as follows (in millions):
	Purchase Price
	Cash paid, net of cash acquired	$	813
	Stock options assumed	44
	Indemnification holdback	5
		$	862
	Allocation
	Goodwill	$	702
	Intangible assets (1):
	Marketing-related	23
	Contract-based	1
	Technology-based	33
	Customer-related	174
		231
	Property and equipment	21
	Deferred tax assets	65
	Other assets acquired	34
	Deferred tax liabilities	(90		)
	Other liabilities assumed	(101		)
		$	862
	___________________
	-1	Acquired intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and five years, with a weighted-average amortization period of five years.
Pro Forma Financial Information	'
	The following pro forma financial information presents our results as if the current year acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 2013 (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Net sales	$	59,712		$	48,900
	Net income (loss)	$	(501	)	$	(50	)
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	The goodwill of the acquired companies is generally not deductible for tax purposes and is primarily related to expected improvements in sales growth from future product and service offerings and new customers, together with certain intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The following summarizes our goodwill activity in the first nine months of 2014 by segment (in millions):
		North			International			Consolidated
		America
	Goodwill - January 1, 2014	$	2,033		$	622		$	2,655
	New acquisitions (1)	544			158			702
	Other adjustments (2)	—			(25		)	(25		)
	Goodwill - September 30, 2014	$	2,577		$	755		$	3,332
	___________________
	-1	Primarily includes the goodwill of Twitch.
	-2	Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates.

EquityMethod_Investments_Table

Equity-Method Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments Summarized Financial Information	'
	LivingSocial’s summarized condensed financial information, as provided to us by LivingSocial, is as follows (in millions):
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Statements of Operations:
	Revenue	$	215		$	289
	Gross profit	169			225
	Operating expenses	261			283
	Operating loss from continuing operations	(92		)	(58		)
	Net loss from continuing operations	(75		)	(50		)
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (1)	206			(54		)
	Net income (loss)	$	131		$	(104	)
	___________________
	-1	In January 2014, LivingSocial completed the sale of its Korean operations for approximately $260 million and, in Q1 2014, recognized a gain on disposal of $205 million, net of tax. The statement of operations information above has been recast to present the Korean operations as discontinued operations.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt Obligations	'
	The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions):
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	$	750		$	750
	1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	1,000			1,000
	2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	1,250			1,250
	Other long-term debt	983			967
	Total debt	3,983			3,967
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(864		)	(753		)
	Face value of long-term debt	$	3,119		$	3,214

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in millions):
		Number of Units		Weighted Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	16.3		$	233
	Units granted	6.6		335
	Units vested	(3.6	)	196
	Units forfeited	(1.8	)	259
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	17.5		$	276
Nonvested Share Activity	'
	Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2015		2016	2017	2018	Thereafter	Total
	Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units	1.6		5.8		5.9	2.8	1.1	0.3	17.5

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment	'
	Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	North America
	Net sales	$	12,867		$	10,301		$	36,722		$	29,186
	Segment operating expenses (1)	12,779			10,006			35,634			28,024
	Segment operating income	$	88		$	295		$	1,088		$	1,162
	International
	Net sales	$	7,712		$	6,791		$	22,937		$	19,679
	Segment operating expenses (1)	7,936			6,819			23,254			19,724
	Segment operating income (loss)	$	(224	)	$	(28	)	$	(317	)	$	(45	)
	Consolidated
	Net sales	$	20,579		$	17,092		$	59,659		$	48,865
	Segment operating expenses (1)	20,715			16,825			58,888			47,748
	Segment operating income (loss)	(136		)	267			771			1,117
	Stock-based compensation	(377		)	(281		)	(1,089		)	(808		)
	Other operating income (expense), net	(31		)	(11		)	(94		)	(74		)
	Income (loss) from operations	(544		)	(25		)	(412		)	235
	Total non-operating income (expense)	(90		)	(18		)	(128		)	(181		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	205			12			38			18
	Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	(8		)	(10		)	47			(38		)
	Net income (loss)	$	(437	)	$	(41	)	$	(455	)	$	34
	___________________
	-1	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales:
	Media	$	5,244		$	5,033		$	15,555		$	14,488
	Electronics and other general merchandise	13,953			11,048			40,248			31,677
	Other (1)	1,382			1,011			3,856			2,700
		$	20,579		$	17,092		$	59,659		$	48,865
	___________________
	-1	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

Accounting_Policies_Calculatio

Accounting Policies Calculation of Diluted Shares (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	463	457	461	456
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	0	0	0	8
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	463	457	461	464

Accounting_Policies_Calculatio1

Accounting Policies Calculation of Diluted Shares Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock awards excluded from the computation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect, Amount	18	17	17

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark2

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities Summary by Major Security Type Cash Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis and Categorized Using Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	($393)	[1]	($301)	[1]
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	6,883		12,447
Cash	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,022		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	3,022		3,008
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,274		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	4		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	7,276		12,748
Level 1 Securities | Money market funds	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,608		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	2,608		5,914
Level 1 Securities | Equity securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	2		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	3		4
Level 2 Securities | Foreign government and agency securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	78		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	79		758
Level 2 Securities | U.S. government and agency securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,069		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	1,068		2,222
Level 2 Securities | Corporate debt securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	392		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	393		741
Level 2 Securities | Asset-backed securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	68		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	68		65
Level 2 Securities | Other fixed income securities	'		'
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	35		'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments Total Estimated Fair Value	$35		$36
[1]	We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, real estate leases, and amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions. We classify cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Mark3

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities Summary of Contractual Maturities of Cash Equivalent and Marketable Fixed Income Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Amortized Cost	$4,250
Estimated Fair Value	4,251
Due within one year	'
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Amortized Cost	3,101
Estimated Fair Value	3,102
Due after one year through five years	'
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Amortized Cost	819
Estimated Fair Value	820
Due after five years through ten years	'
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Amortized Cost	121
Estimated Fair Value	121
Due after ten years	'
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Amortized Cost	209
Estimated Fair Value	$208

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Rental expense under operating lease agreements	$252	$197	$700	$545	'
Tax contingencies	626	'	626	'	407
Securities and Property and Equipment Owned and Pledged as Collateral, Fair Value	$549	'	$549	'	$482

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Principal Contractual Commitments Excluding Open Orders for Inventory Purchases That Support Normal Operations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	$1,765
Year Ended December 31, 2015	5,607
Year Ended December 31, 2016	2,552
Year Ended December 31, 2017	2,641
Year Ended December 31, 2018	1,133
Thereafter	6,097
Total	19,795
Operating leases	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	225
Year Ended December 31, 2015	798
Year Ended December 31, 2016	745
Year Ended December 31, 2017	667
Year Ended December 31, 2018	582
Thereafter	2,470
Total	5,487
Unconditional purchase obligations	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	167	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2015	475	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2016	375	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2017	300	[1]
Year Ended December 31, 2018	123	[1]
Thereafter	28	[1]
Total	1,468	[1]
Other commitments	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	304	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2015	714	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2016	296	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2017	168	[2],[3]
Year Ended December 31, 2018	125	[2],[3]
Thereafter	1,140	[2],[3]
Total	2,747	[2],[3]
Debt principal and interest	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	222
Year Ended December 31, 2015	1,519
Year Ended December 31, 2016	82
Year Ended December 31, 2017	1,081
Year Ended December 31, 2018	69
Thereafter	1,375
Total	4,348
Capital leases, including interest	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	820
Year Ended December 31, 2015	2,006
Year Ended December 31, 2016	958
Year Ended December 31, 2017	327
Year Ended December 31, 2018	135
Thereafter	141
Total	4,387
Financing lease obligations, including interest	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014	27
Year Ended December 31, 2015	95
Year Ended December 31, 2016	96
Year Ended December 31, 2017	98
Year Ended December 31, 2018	99
Thereafter	943
Total	$1,358
[1]	Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to long-term agreements to acquire and license digital content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
[2]	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service and digital content liabilities associated with long-term digital content assets with initial terms greater than one year.
[3]	Excludes $626 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Acqu2

Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Informaiton (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 25, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Cash paid, net of cash acquired	$813	'		'
Stock options assumed	44	'		'
Indemnification holdback	5	'		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	862	'		'
Goodwill	3,332	702		2,655
Intangible assets	'	231	[1]	'
Property and equipment	'	21		'
Deferred tax assets	'	65		'
Other assets acquired	'	34		'
Deferred tax Liabilities	'	-90		'
Other liabilities assumed	'	-101		'
Business acquisition, allocation	'	862		'
Acquired intangible assets weighted-average amortization period	'5 years	'		'
Fair value of stock options that will be expensed over the remaining service period	39	'		'
Twitch Interactive, Inc.	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	25-Sep-14	'		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	842	'		'
Certain Other Companies	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	20	'		'
Marketing-related	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	'	23	[1]	'
Contract-based	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	'	1	[1]	'
Technology-based	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	'	33	[1]	'
Customer-related	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	'	$174	[1]	'
Minimum	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Acquired intangible assets estimated useful lives	'1 year	'		'
Maximum	'	'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'		'
Acquired intangible assets estimated useful lives	'5 years	'		'
[1]	Acquired intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and five years, with a weighted-average amortization period of five years.

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Acqu3

Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales of acquired companies included in our consolidated financial statements since acquisition dates	$12	'
Operating loss of acquired companies included in our consolidated financial statements since acquisition dates	3	'
Pro Forma - Net sales	59,712	48,900
Pro Forma - Net income (loss)	($501)	($50)

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Acqu4

Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 25, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill - January 1, 2014	$2,655		$702
New acquisitions	702	[1]	'
Other adjustments	-25	[2]	'
Goodwill - September 30, 2014	3,332		702
North America	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill - January 1, 2014	2,033		'
New acquisitions	544	[1]	'
Other adjustments	0	[2]	'
Goodwill - September 30, 2014	2,577		'
International	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill - January 1, 2014	622		'
New acquisitions	158	[1]	'
Other adjustments	-25	[2]	'
Goodwill - September 30, 2014	$755		'
[1]	Primarily includes the goodwill of Twitch.
[2]	Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates.

EquityMethod_Investments_Summa

Equity-Method Investments Summarized Condensed Financial Information of LivingSocial (Detail) (LivingSocial, USD $)	9 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Jan. 31, 2014
					Korean operations
Statement of Operations:	'		'		'
Revenue	$215		$289		'
Gross profit	169		225		'
Operating expenses	261		283		'
Operating loss from continuing operations	-92		-58		'
Net loss from continuing operations	-75		-50		'
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	206	[1]	-54	[1]	'
Net income (loss)	131		-104		'
LivingSocial sale of its Korean operations	'		'		260
Gain on disposal	'		'		$205
[1]	In January 2014, LivingSocial completed the sale of its Korean operations for approximately $260 million and, in Q1 2014, recognized a gain on disposal of $205 million, net of tax. The statement of operations information above has been recast to present the Korean operations as discontinued operations.

Equity_Method_Investments_Addi

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (LivingSocial, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
LivingSocial	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Equity and cost investment, ownership percentage	31.00%
Equity and cost investment, book value	$84

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended								3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
			Senior Notes	Senior Notes	Senior Notes	0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	Other Long Term Debt	Other Long Term Debt	Maximum
					tranche
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Face amount	'	'	'	'	$3,000,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of tranches of debt issued	'	'	'	'	3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unamortized discount	'	'	20,000,000	23,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Carrying amount of other long term debt including current portion	983,000,000	967,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective interest yields	'	'	'	'	'	0.84%	1.38%	2.66%	'	'	'
Interest payment frequency	'	'	'semi-annually in arrears in May and November	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total estimated fair value of notes	'	'	2,900,000,000	2,900,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5.60%	5.50%	'
Credit Agreement, initiation date	5-Sep-14	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Agreement, maximum borrowing capacity	2,000,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Agreement, term	'2 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Agreement, term additional information	'may be extended for up to three additional one-year terms if approved by the lenders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Agreement, variable rate basis	'LIBOR	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Agreement, basis spread on variable rate	0.63%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%
Credit Agreement, borrowings outstanding	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ob

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$3,983	$3,967
Other long-term debt	983	967
Less current portion of long-term debt	-864	-753
Face value of long-term debt	3,119	3,214
0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	0.65%	'
Long-term debt	750	750
1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	1.20%	'
Long-term debt	1,000	1,000
2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Stated interest rate	2.50%	'
Long-term debt	$1,250	$1,250

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2010
			Share Repurchase Program, 2010	Share Repurchase Program, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Repurchase program authorized by Board of Directors	'	'	'	$2,000,000,000
Repurchase program authorized, remaining common stock	'	'	763,000,000	'
Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards, including all stock-based awards outstanding, including estimated forfeiture	481	476	'	'
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements	$2,200,000,000	'	'	'
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements, weighted average recognition period (in years)	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Restricted

Stockholders' Equity Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units	'
Number of units	'
Beginning balance (in shares)	16.3
Units granted (in shares)	6.6
Units vested (in shares)	-3.6
Units forfeited (in shares)	-1.8
Ending balance (in shares)	17.5
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'
Beginning balance (in usd per share)	$233
Units granted (in usd per share)	$335
Units vested (in usd per share)	$196
Units forfeited (in usd per share)	$259
Ending balance (in usd per share)	$276

Stockholders_Equity_Scheduled_

Stockholders' Equity Scheduled Vesting for Outstanding Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Stock Units	'
Schedule of Vesting [Line Items]	'
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014	1.6
Year Ended December 31, 2015	5.8
Year Ended December 31, 2016	5.9
Year Ended December 31, 2017	2.8
Year Ended December 31, 2018	1.1
Thereafter	0.3
Total	17.5

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$205	$12	$38	$18	'	'	'
Discrete tax benefits (provision)	'	'	-82	54	'	'	'
Cash taxes paid, net of refunds	38	23	148	143	173	195	'
Tax contingencies	626	'	626	'	626	'	407
Tax examination, proposed additional tax expense including interest and penalties	'	'	1,500	'	'	'	'
France	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax examination, proposed additional tax expense including interest and penalties	'	'	$250	'	'	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of segments	2

Segment_Information_Reportable

Segment Information - Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'
Net sales	$20,579		$17,092		$59,659		$48,865		'	'
Segment operating expenses	21,123		17,117		60,071		48,630		'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-544		-25		-412		235		'	'
Stock-based compensation	-377		-281		-1,089		-808		-1,414	-1,043
Other operating income (expense), net	-31		-11		-94		-74		'	'
Total non-operating income (expense)	-90		-18		-128		-181		'	'
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	205		12		38		18		'	'
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	-8		-10		47		-38		'	'
Net income (loss)	-437		-41		-455		34		-216	132
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'
Net sales	20,579		17,092		59,659		48,865		'	'
Segment operating expenses	20,715	[1]	16,825	[1]	58,888	[1]	47,748	[1]	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-136		267		771		1,117		'	'
Operating Segments | North America	'		'		'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'
Net sales	12,867		10,301		36,722		29,186		'	'
Segment operating expenses	12,779	[1]	10,006	[1]	35,634	[1]	28,024	[1]	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	88		295		1,088		1,162		'	'
Operating Segments | International	'		'		'		'		'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'
Net sales	7,712		6,791		22,937		19,679		'	'
Segment operating expenses	7,936	[1]	6,819	[1]	23,254	[1]	19,724	[1]	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	($224)		($28)		($317)		($45)		'	'
[1]	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.

Segment_Information_Net_Sales_

Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$20,579		$17,092		$59,659		$48,865
Media	'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	5,244		5,033		15,555		14,488
Electronics and other general merchandise	'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	13,953		11,048		40,248		31,677
Other	'		'		'		'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$1,382	[1]	$1,011	[1]	$3,856	[1]	$2,700	[1]
[1]	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.