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Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

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Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#51
post #39
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know as much about NYC geography, but if they put one of these somewhere in the loop in Chicago I would definitely use it. I would much rather spend my lunch break walking down to the Amazon pickup depot than let a package sit on my front door all day.

Doesn't having to pick up a package defeat the purpose of delivery? If I wanted to pick up packages, I'd go to stores and buy things. I don't want to go to the store though, so I pay Amazon to deliver it to me.

I make use of in-store pickup options from time to time - sometimes it's nice to get your hands on your order the same day - order it at 7pm, have it by 8pm.

What it comes down to for me is, I don't hate going to the store, I hate shopping at the store. Typing "16GB USB Drive" into the search box is much easier than wandering down multiple aisles trying to figure out whether that particular store put the USB sticks with the laptop accessories, the camera storage, the office supplies, on some unrelated endcap, or behind the guy standing inconveniently in front of the display I'm trying to look at.

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#52

http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/09/amazon-store-manhattan/ Seems unnecessary. I guess Amazon is getting so bored making money in sane ways that they want to lose money in insane ways.

Amazon has recorded a net loss 4 out of the last 6 quarters. Read into that what you will, but I don't think they're in any position to 'get bored making money'. http://services.corporate-ir.net/SEC/Document.Service?id=P3V...

It's pretty well known that Amazon intentionally reinvests all of its profits (and then some) back into new business ventures.

So perhaps it would have been more accurate to say "getting so bored expanding into new markets."

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#53
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know as much about NYC geography, but if they put one of these somewhere in the loop in Chicago I would definitely use it. I would much rather spend my lunch break walking down to the Amazon pickup depot than let a package sit on my front door all day.

FYI: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000841451

None near my Chicago zip. Loved it in LA though.

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#54
UX: Relentless body and eye tracking from the moment you walk in. Physical identity linked to your Amazon account. No opt-out. No cash payment. Tight integration to online experience. Customer is seated beside a large touch screen, product arrives kaiten sushi style. Some visibility of robotic pickers behind the scenes. Reservation of seating days in advance.

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#55
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In many urban areas it can be challenging to receive packages, so having a pickup spot in the middle of several million people could well make sense. Apple's flagship Manhattan store famously does quite well as a showcase for their products and helps to sell millions for them. Amazon could be doing that math that for every user we get into the ecosystem we can extract X in lifetime value from book, video and app purc…

I don't know as much about NYC geography, but if they put one of these somewhere in the loop in Chicago I would definitely use it. I would much rather spend my lunch break walking down to the Amazon pickup depot than let a package sit on my front door all day.

Another Chicagoan here, I'm actually the exact opposite. I'd much rather have my package sitting in the lobby of my apartment than going down to Michigan Ave, dealing with a bunch of tourists, and waiting in line to pick up, idk, a big box of paper towels because I'm too lazy to go to the grocery store?

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#56
post #39
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know as much about NYC geography, but if they put one of these somewhere in the loop in Chicago I would definitely use it. I would much rather spend my lunch break walking down to the Amazon pickup depot than let a package sit on my front door all day.

Doesn't having to pick up a package defeat the purpose of delivery? If I wanted to pick up packages, I'd go to stores and buy things. I don't want to go to the store though, so I pay Amazon to deliver it to me.

Well sure...if you can find a store that stocks every item that Amazon has, has no lines, doesn't require searching for the physical product on their shelves (this is of course replaced by Amazon.com's search fxn at time of purchase). You surely can't be serious in saying that there's no advantages to conveniently located Amazon package pickup over a conveniently located store...

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#57
post #24

Seems cool. Picking up from a store can be useful when it's something you're worried about sitting on your doorstep all day. Could be a great way to improve customer service as well. I'm curious as to whether the store will actually stock non-amazon products.

> Picking up from a store can be useful when it's something you're worried about sitting on your doorstep all day.

This is almost certainly not the main intention of this move, since a store is waayyyy more expensive than a locker and no more convenient, and Amazon has had lockers for a looong time (I can't receive packages at my house so I use the locker one block away extensively).

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In many urban areas it can be challenging to receive packages, so having a pickup spot in the middle of several million people could well make sense. Apple's flagship Manhattan store famously does quite well as a showcase for their products and helps to sell millions for them. Amazon could be doing that math that for every user we get into the ecosystem we can extract X in lifetime value from book, video and app purc…

Cost to become Wal-Mart: $62,655,000,000 Based on store counts times conservative numbers on the total cost of a new Wal-Mart. They might try building a bunch of small stores, but they're definitely not going to try to become Wal-Mart.

They want to skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it is. We can be certain that the Walmart of ten years from now will not be identical to the Walmart of today. Part of that difference will be Walmart's reactions to Amazon's own actions, but mostly it will be changed consumer expectations. Do you enjoy shopping for toiletries and similar consumables?

Re: Amazon to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Location

#59

UX: Relentless body and eye tracking from the moment you walk in. Physical identity linked to your Amazon account. No opt-out. No cash payment. Tight integration to online experience. Customer is seated beside a large touch screen, product arrives kaiten sushi style. Some visibility of robotic pickers behind the scenes. Reservation of seating days in advance.

Shut up and take my money! Can you install one of these things on my toilet?
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