Amazon ponders furniture and electronic shops

Amazon is considering opening appliance and furniture stores in the US, further demonstrating its commitment to the bricks and mortar retail market. According to the New York Times, the e-commerce giant is considering a shop format that would have augmented reality and allow customers to test out how items would look in their own homes. The idea would be to sell bulky furniture items and furniture in the store, where customers can view them in person and then have them delivered to their homes. There are also reports that the retailer is considering opening shops that would be similar to an Apple store in format, selling electronics. They would have a heavy focus on its own electronic devices such as the Echo smart home speaker and Prime Video streaming service. Amazon has already made its first foray into physical stores. In Seattle, where the company is headquartered, it has opened a grocery store concept called Amazon G. It recently opened its fifth book shop in Chicago and had announced plans for five more in San Diego, Portland and Chicago. Its grocery convenience concept operates without cashiers – customers pay automatically via their Amazon account when they leave the shop. It is also considering two more grocery shop concepts where drivers can pick up their groceries without leaving their cars. The retailer has yet to unveil plans to do the same in the UK, however in December last year it registered a UK trademark for its Amazon Go format. To send feedback, e-mail amber.rolt@egi.co.uk or tweet @AmberRoltEG or @estatesgazette