How 3-D Printing Will Change Retailing

The buzz and hype surrounding 3-D printing can make it hard to separate fact from fiction, but one thing is for sure: 3-D printing has the potential to transform shopper expectations and retail supply chains. Begin with the premise that in a world where 3-D printers and their amazing capabilities are commonplace, do consumers even need a retailer such as Amazon.com in certain categories? It's not as crazy as it sounds considering 3-D printers are quickly giving potential Amazon customers the ability to make products for one-third the price while also experiencing the pride of creating something.