Amazon Looking Into More Brick-and-Mortar Retail Concepts
E-commerce goliath Amazon.com is looking to expand its footprint in brick-and-mortar retail, according to reports. Featured products in the possible new locations would consist of groceries and appliances, items that, traditionally, have a hard time selling online. This is another move on Amazon's part to start to grow within the grocery vertical. Within its expansion strategy, Amazon has noted it will open two Seattle outlets where shoppers can pick up orders made through AmazonFresh online. The retailer also aims to open up to five more pick-up locations across the U.S. by next year. Other rumored storefronts are a larger grocery store, an electronics store similar in set-up to Apple, and Amazon Go convenience stores.
Total Retail's Take: I'm not surprised Amazon is looking into more storefronts. Consumers are looking for more experiential retail, and the best place for brands to give them that is within their stores. CEO Jeff Bezos and the Amazon team are making a smart move into physical grocery stores. Grocery delivery startups are very popular right now, and a storefront could help bump sales for the struggling AmazonFresh unit. While most of the storefront ideas are in their infancy, it appears combining brick and clicks is crucial to Amazon's future growth.
