This article was written by Phin Upham
In 2001, right around the time that ecommerce was beginning to become mainstream, a Thai immigrant was forming a small company called Newegg. Newegg is based in California, in the City of Industry, and it sells computer hardware and software to consumers. It also handles some general electronics, including game and DVD sales as well.
The company was named one of the Web’s top retailers by 2005, with revenue that was just over $1 billion. It soon expanded, including an online mall and business centers in Canada. The company is considered mid-sized, with roughly 2,500 employees under its name.
Newegg caters to the hardcore computer enthusiast, which includes everyone from gamers to developers and designers. It gained popularity thanks to great deals on hardware, and a variety of vendor agreements. The company is also well-known in the PC gaming community for sponsorship of multiple video game tournaments.
The founders chose the name “Newegg” to symbolize birth and unlimited potential. Newegg’s founders admit some early difficulties with general ecommerce. People were afraid to shop online, fearing credit card or identity theft. The company managed to rise above those fears, and chose the logo and name as symbols of that success.
Newegg tried for an IPO in 2009. Its initial statement pointed out consistent profits since 2001, and sales numbering over $2 billion by 2008. Although, the company withdrew its IPO in 2011 to seek alternative methods to funding.
