The company was founded in 2004 by Andrew Crawford (former Amazon employee) and Stuart Felton.

Its motto was to make "All Books Available to All"[2] by improving selection, access and affordability.

[3][1] The move led commentators to worry about the 'strangle hold' of Amazon on the UK book market.

[citation needed] In 2012, Book Depository was a finalist for the Fast Growth Business Awards' Retail/Leisure Business of the Year award, and won two UK Startup Awards, Online Business of the Year and Retailer of the Year.

[8] In 2013, it was ranked 5th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.