Retailers could learn a lot from Amazon’s physical bookstore

It’s odd how a company that makes all of its money by selling things online, and is often cited as the biggest reason for the decline of physical bookstores, ended up opening its own physical bookstore. Even stranger than this, however, is the fact that Amazon’s bookstore is actually a brilliant approach to brick-and-mortar stores that managed to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping, something that other retailers should be taking notes on. 

Earlier this month, Amazon opened a bookstore in a mall that used to house a Barnes & Noble. Much has been written about this foray into the physical realm: It’s been called a potential library of the future; Amazon itself has been called the Darth Vader of the books business; and some have wondered about the possibilities afforded by a location that bridges online and offline commerce. Those are all interesting considerations, but as with Amazon’s other programs, the secretive company hasn’t said whether this is a small test or the beginning of a larger initiative that will lead to Amazon Books locations across the country. So I don’t want to consider the effect this physical store could have on Amazon — I’d rather question why other brick-and-mortar stores are resting on their laurels. Seriously, why aren’t there more retails stores like Amazon’s book store experiment? A store with a variety of goods on physical shelves with prices that fluctuate to stay in sync with the online version of the store. Of course, there would need to be some changes to accommodate those who don’t like change, but there’s potential here to merge the online and offline shopping experience.