Amazon to launch a retail store

Boston Star (IANS) Tuesday 7th February, 2012

Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is planning to open a retail store in America's Seattle city as a pilot test to see if a chain of stores would be profitable, a media report said.

Amazon will go with the small boutique route focusing on books from its line of Amazon Exclusives as well as their e-readers and tablets, Xinhua reported citing goodereader.com, a website on latest news of electronic readers.

The company will stock "shelves with only high margin and high-end items. Their intention is to mainly hustle their entire line of Kindle e-Readers and the Kindle Fire. They also will be stocking a ton of accessories such as cases, screen protectors, and USB adapters," the report said.

Amazon has tested several concepts in Seattle, such as its fresh food delivery service.

Meanwhile, having retail stores means Amazon will have to start paying more taxes.

The company has been under increasing pressure from state governments and traditional retailers as it only collects sales taxes from customers in only five US states.