Amazon to Join Apple, Microsoft with Physical Retail Store to Hawk Tablets, E-Readers

Amazon is getting ready to build a physical retail presence for its name after being in the online space for some time now. The online retailer is gearing up to open up a physical retail store near its headquarters in tech-friendly Seattle, Washington. The location will be small and will be a physical place for people to purchase Amazon Exclusive books as well as the company’s line of e-readers and tablets, including the popular and highly affordable Kindle Fire slate.

Amazon is still testing the concept and the location is said to be open before the holiday shopping season begins.

If successful, Amazon may try to replicate Apple’s success in the retail space by providing expertise and the space for users to get acquainted with its technology products. Microsoft, a company also in Washington state, has already entered the retail space as well with its own stores. In recent years, Amazon has begun making deals with big box retailers, like Target and Best Buy, in the U.S. to offer a physical place for users to come test drive its e-readers and now the new Kindle Fire tablet.

Direct bookseller rival Barnes & Noble already operates a retail chain of stores to sell books, e-readers, and the company’s Nook tablet.

Via: Good Reader