perhaps I'm misinterpreting the article, it's mis-titled, or both but Amazon seems to be removing the shoping experience of the kiosks within select malls, Whole Foods, etc. for things like Kindles and Alexa devices.
I'm assuming the "physical retail strategy" seems limited to these kiosks, only?
Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
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Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#22Also in the article:
> Amazon is expanding its bookstores as well as its so-called 4-star stores
So this is more of a doubling down rather than failure of brick-and-mortar retail for Amazon. I'm guessing they want to offer an Apple-like retail experience versus renting out tiny corners of existing stores like they do right now.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#23TL;DR: Amazon has been experimenting with a bunch of IRL retail approaches. Some don't work as well and are being shut down; others are expanding.
And undoubtably further experimentation will ensue.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#24Same story from CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/06/amazon-to-close-all-of-its-po... .
That article uses OP's as the main source.
> The move was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
Walmart in particular seems well-positioned to pivot to competing with Amazon in retail in the US. They maintain what are essentially warehouse facilities within a short drive of a huge percentage of the population. Outcompeting Amazon in terms of a pleasant and trust-building web-shopping experience should be achievable--Amazon's UX has been getting worse over time, and achieving truly fast delivery outside of huge…
I’ve commented on this several times, but Walmart’s online grocery pickup app is coming along nicely. They’re doing a push to hire developers and the improvements show in the app. You originally had to call a phone number but now you say you’re on your way and it notifies the workers to come out and put your groceries in the trunk. My wife hates going inside Walmart’s so we’d use the smaller more expensive grocery st…
Totally agreed. Amazon’s variety of of offerings are also very confusing. You have Fresh, Pantry, and normal prime.
I cannot use Fresh... I stopped using Amazon because with Pantry you’d get short-dated product and returns are a hassle. I think they have third party supply chain bullshit as well.
Walmart is a better option, their economics are better for “middle of the store” grocery goods and I don’t have the supply chain concern that comes with Amazon.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
Very good points. I concur. WalMart's website is very poorly designed compared to amazon, but they generally have the same goods at the same price. WalMart will offer free ship-to-store that I can get faster than waiting for amazon free shipping, and critically, WalMart allows no-hassle returns of internet purchases at the local return counter. Amazon's return policy is good, but it's more of a hassle to deal with bo…
Amazon offers drop off returns at their retail locations as well. Also at their lockers, but you do have to box it for the locker.
Is re-boxing Amazon products really that big of a hassle? I just re-use the box the product came in, or the box from another recent Amazon purchase.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#27This is more or less what Amazon is known for - experimentation, A/B testing and dumping ideas quickly.
I'm pretty in awe that Amazon seems to have (at least) three bricks and mortar retail concepts on the go at the same time : Go, pop up stores and Whole Foods, and is only now deciding to cut one of them. Amazon's commitment to going with the data goes so so deep.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#28This is more or less what Amazon is known for - experimentation, A/B testing and dumping ideas quickly. I'm pretty in awe that Amazon seems to have (at least) three bricks and mortar retail concepts on the go at the same time : Go, pop up stores and Whole Foods, and is only now deciding to cut one of them. Amazon's commitment to going with the data goes so so deep.
I think it's 5: Go, pop-up, 4-star, bookstore, whole foods.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#29I like the moves all of these brick and mortar stores are making online. Walmart, etc. They are slowly but surely catching up, so much so that I this Amazon dominating everything is not guaranteed. Walmart and other brick and mortar stores might develop strategies to effectively compete... which will be great for consumers to be able to get everything online delivered or store pickup... with lots of deals offered. Th…
Walmart in particular seems well-positioned to pivot to competing with Amazon in retail in the US. They maintain what are essentially warehouse facilities within a short drive of a huge percentage of the population. Outcompeting Amazon in terms of a pleasant and trust-building web-shopping experience should be achievable--Amazon's UX has been getting worse over time, and achieving truly fast delivery outside of huge…
Walmart is probably better positioned than anyone else in the US market to do so. It's worth noting that the current CEO is relatively "new" (he's been in the role only 5 years and is only 52 years old - a next generation of leader compared to his predecessors).
He is being very proactive in building out things like online grocery, investing heavily in e-commerce (recent public results showing strong outcomes) and lots of targeted M&A related to digitally native brands to broaden the accessible customer segments, spending billions of dollars to remake / refresh the 5,000 stores, etc.
Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy
#30Note that they are only shutting down pop-up stores that feature (it sounds like) all Amazon products like Kindle, etc. NOT their cashierless "Go" stores. It sounds like they figured out that dedicated physical locations for Amazon products don't make sense like it does for Apple, etc.
I was scared for a second. I'm really loving the amazon go store (though, it also happens to be downstairs from where I work).