As a large part of the world is striving to digitalize their business, one is trying to localize it. Amazon is a limitless marketplace for the online shopper. Whether it is sold by Amazon.com or another company, it can be found on Amazon’s website. The site offers products ranging from food to car parts that can be delivered to your doorstep within two days of ordering the product (extra fees may apply).
Amazon first announced that it would be building its first brick and mortar store at the end of 2014. Many were interested to see what they would sell in the store. Online, Amazon’s store capacity is virtually limitless, whereas with a physical store, they would have to choose the products that would ensure the highest sales. Many skeptics thought it would be a bad idea, but Amazon wanted to deliver that hands-on experience for people purchasing certain items, for example tablets and computers.
When online, Amazon existed as a delocalized community as the people who were purchasing or selling products were from all over the world. With a physical store, it attracts a certain demographic of customers – those that are interested in the product being offered at the store and those with the means to access it.
Early this year, Amazon opened its first store in Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Rather than offering products like a typical store, it is more of a specialized post office. Students can order their products online from the Amazon website and have it shipped to the store for free. Although not what most people had in mind for an Amazon store, could this be the future of shopping?
A more in-depth article can be found here and the more about the university store can be found here.