After years of taking market share from brick-and-mortar retailers, Amazon is reportedly planning to open several physical store locations.
The first of the stores could be opened in Ohio or California, sources close to Amazon said, according to a report. The stores will dwarf Amazon’s current physical location in size and scope and be similar to Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and other department store chains.
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“People are absolutely returning and shopping in department stores,” John Idol, the chief executive of the Michael Kors parent Capri Holdings Ltd., reportedly said on a conference call in July.
Amazon has long rivaled the brick-and-mortar retail industry, which has been on the decline due to online shopping alternatives. This decline was greatly worsened during the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic lockdowns.
While J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Lord & Taylor, and Stage Stores Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2020, other major retailers are reportedly expected to turn in strong sales, such as Macy’s and Kohl’s, according to industry analysts.
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Amazon reportedly contacted some U.S. clothing retailers in 2019, presenting the idea of large-scale stores, the sources said. The stores would allow consumers to try on apparel before deciding to buy, which is often an issue with online shopping.
Amazon executives also reasoned the large physical locations would enable greater engagement with their customer base and showcase tech devices and other items.
Amazon did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
