Every day brings gloomier news for the economy, but Amazon.com has proved itself a rare bright spot with rising profits and innovative new products. The online retailer posted an 8.7 percent increase in profits in the fourth quarter fueled by an increased use of promotions and discounts to attract customers wary to part with their cash in the recession. The company also got a boost from their popular new digital book reader, Kindle, which sold out for the second straight holiday season.
