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Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

wsj.com

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Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#71

Post by Gpetrium »

paxys wrote: post #22

Also 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.

I think that since most lower priced groceries are not located in premium retail spots, they can partially use the business as a warehouse, cutting down on cost while allowing them to be more competitive.

The purchase of Whole Foods seems to have benefited Amazon's grocery logistics, added pressure to competitors wanting to enter the online retail from brick-n-mortar sector, allows them to use the b-n-m to serve as warehouse and increases brand recognition

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#72

Post by ghaff »

cloakandswagger wrote: post #69
1stcity3rdcoast wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s been a lot of heated discussion about this on HN previously, but it would be interesting to know 1) how big of a problem it is, and 2) what people are buying that seem to have this problem. My household buys on average 10-20 items from amazon each week for many years (combined personal, my business, my wife’s business) and have yet to receive a counterfeit item. Am I doing something different?

The problem seems to exclusively affect HN commenters, who have the remarkable misfortune of having every single item they buy off Amazon turn out to be counterfeit. It's a total scourge on the community of HN but miraculously doesn't seem to affect anyone else. Occasionally I'll see a broken-English listing from a third-party seller advertising a $800 camera for $200, but when that happens I just...don't purchase th…

I suspect there’s something to what you say. People buying on price are more likely to hit counterfeits. It’s also statistics. With a large enough population, some people are going to get unlucky purely by chance.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#73

Post by tareqak »

tha_nose wrote: post #70
Kye wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it was offered as an alternative for people who felt weird about breaking the paywall but don't mind reporting that uses the paywalled article as a source.

Or it's just cnbc social media team spamming social media. Anything is possible in this brave new world.

No, I just posted it for people who want an additional source for the same story.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#74

Post by gordon_freeman »

kristianc wrote: post #27

This 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 Amazon doesn't need those pop-up stores now as much since they could easily use Whole Foods stores to display and sell their hardware devices. They also have other options as well to sell devices such as their Amazon Books physical stores.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#75

Post by bitpow »

Judgmentality wrote: post #50
k_sh wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Follow-through. Google is infamous for this sequence of events, time and time again: 1. We made this great new thing that's gonna change the way you verb! Hope you enjoy it! 2. (1-5 years of product stagnation) 3. Hey, thanks for the all the good times. We're closing the thing at the end of the year. Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs.

> Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs. Except when it comes to selling counterfeit merchandise. This is more than just a nitpick, they are cannibalizing their core business. What I don't know, and I assume they do know, is how bad is the problem. Is it impacting 1% of customers who ultimately leave their platform (which could easily be offset by other fac…

They just launched project zero, so at least they seem to be addressing the issue.

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazon-project-zer...

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#76

Post by callalex »

bitpow wrote: post #75
Judgmentality wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs. Except when it comes to selling counterfeit merchandise. This is more than just a nitpick, they are cannibalizing their core business. What I don't know, and I assume they do know, is how bad is the problem. Is it impacting 1% of customers who ultimately leave their platform (which could easily be offset by other fac…

They just launched project zero, so at least they seem to be addressing the issue. https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazon-project-zer...

Wow that is an extremely unfortunate name, it almost seems like they’re maliciously trying to ride the positive and successful associations of the existing Project Zero.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#77

Post by tanilama »

Judgmentality wrote: post #50
k_sh wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Follow-through. Google is infamous for this sequence of events, time and time again: 1. We made this great new thing that's gonna change the way you verb! Hope you enjoy it! 2. (1-5 years of product stagnation) 3. Hey, thanks for the all the good times. We're closing the thing at the end of the year. Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs.

> Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs. Except when it comes to selling counterfeit merchandise. This is more than just a nitpick, they are cannibalizing their core business. What I don't know, and I assume they do know, is how bad is the problem. Is it impacting 1% of customers who ultimately leave their platform (which could easily be offset by other fac…

I don't encounter many counterfeit problem as people here seem to be frequently hit. I use Amazon quite frequently, more than one order each week.

Disclaimer: Ex-Amazon employee.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#78

Post by fullshark »

temp1928384 wrote: post #54

I wonder if Amazon will get into the wholesale game i.e. massive warehouse stores to compete with Costco and Sam's Club that you can get into with a (super) prime membership?

Then you lose Amazon's main value prop: Limitless selection

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#79

Post by banku_brougham »

Judgmentality wrote: post #50
k_sh wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Follow-through. Google is infamous for this sequence of events, time and time again: 1. We made this great new thing that's gonna change the way you verb! Hope you enjoy it! 2. (1-5 years of product stagnation) 3. Hey, thanks for the all the good times. We're closing the thing at the end of the year. Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs.

> Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs. Except when it comes to selling counterfeit merchandise. This is more than just a nitpick, they are cannibalizing their core business. What I don't know, and I assume they do know, is how bad is the problem. Is it impacting 1% of customers who ultimately leave their platform (which could easily be offset by other fac…

They measure counterfeit complaint rates with a PPM metric.

Re: Amazon to Shut All U.S. Pop-Up Stores as It Rethinks Physical Retail Strategy

#80

Post by illumin8 »

bitpow wrote: post #75
Judgmentality wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Amazon (for all their warts) is much more adept at keeping customer experience in their crosshairs. Except when it comes to selling counterfeit merchandise. This is more than just a nitpick, they are cannibalizing their core business. What I don't know, and I assume they do know, is how bad is the problem. Is it impacting 1% of customers who ultimately leave their platform (which could easily be offset by other fac…

They just launched project zero, so at least they seem to be addressing the issue. https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazon-project-zer...

Seems really cool. Serialization is the answer: manufacturer sends exact serial numbers electronically before shipping merchandise. Serial numbers are scanned with barcode readers on entry to fulfillment center and as they are picked/packed for delivery. There should be zero chance of co-mingling if done properly.
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