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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Books / Retail This Is Probably What an Amazon Store Would Look Like

Posted by Paul Constant on Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 7:54 AM

After the reignited hoopla about the Amazon retail store rumors yesterday, I got an e-mail from a smart Slog reader who sent along this video of a Samsung store in Seoul. I agree with his assertion that if there is an Amazon store on the way, it will look a lot like this:

The important thing to take away here is that it's got a lot of wide-open spaces and plenty of interactivity. I was especially interested in the front of the Samsung store, when the narrator says they host events in that hall. I could see the front of an Amazon store being used for readings and lectures, to give the impression of a place where people want to linger, a hands-on hangout that serves as a sort of museum for the merchandise, with books out at the periphery to class the joint up. And to eliminate one of the biggest costs of a retail store—care and maintenance of overstock—customers can buy smaller items onsite, but bigger items would be delivered to the customers' doors the next day, or even before they get home. It's an Apple store crossed with a community center. If Amazon doesn't build a retail chain like this in America in the next few years, somebody's going to.

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jesus christ, technology is exceptionally boring

Posted by Andy_Squirrel on June 21, 2012 at 8:24 AM

Really everyone is going to have to move to some version of the showcase model, because retailers are reporting that many now come to get a look at products and then check prices on the web with their smartphone.

The guy who actually stocks shelves is a sitting duck for price snipers...at least for goods above a certain value.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on June 21, 2012 at 8:40 AM

Dear The Stranger:
Please go check out Third Place Books up in Lake Forest Park to see what this would look like a little closer to home.
It supports a thriving community of retail and public activities.
The events calendar and the public stage are full many weeknights.
The cafe and small take-out places share seating, food-court style but eithout the banality of larger malls. And during the spring and summer, the Sunday Farmer's Market fills the space on two floors.
Seriosly, go check it out some weeknight evening to see a neat blend of retail &get public space. Notice also how popular it is, the place is often pretty crowded.

Posted by Dr_Awesome on June 21, 2012 at 9:20 AM

@3, Third Place Books is great. So is Crossroads in Bellevue. They're two of the best public spaces in the region. I don't get what this has to do with the Amazon store, though.

This proposed store, and the Samsung one in the video, are really fasizzzzz.....

Posted by Fnarf

on June 21, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Fnarf, it's because at Third Place Books I see all the things Paul notes an Amazon bookstore should have: museum-like features, space for lectures, interactivity, open spaces, and, of course, books (and a knowledgeable staff).

Third Place Books does it so well, we don't need an Amazon Bookstore.

Posted by Dr_Awesome on June 21, 2012 at 12:22 PM