I’m sure by now you’ve heard that RadioShack has filed for bankruptcy. And will be closing hundreds of its stores very soon. We’re talking a lot of retail space that will be coming free virtually all over the country. And what’s that little rumor we’ve been hearing about Amazon wanting to make same-day delivery a reality for everyone? Hmm.
Imagine small retail stores that could act as little hubs for the internet retailer. And if you’re like me, you probably live within a short driving distance from a RadioShack location right now. How cool would it be to go into your local Amazon store and browse the latest bestsellers at Amazon prices. No shipping. No waiting a few days to get it. No nothing. Or imagine having any of your Amazon orders shipped for free to the store rather than paying to have it arrive at your doorstep. And if you’re thinking that would take away from people wanting Prime memberships, well I’d say Prime is a bit more than just two-day shipping.
And the best thing about this potential scenario would be that you could go in and try out new gadgets before buying them. Like Kindle, FireTV, Fire Phone, or any of the products that Amazon is set to release that we don’t even know about yet. I know this would be a huge undertaking for Amazon, but from a consumer perspective I know I’d like it. What do you think?
I was looking for an image for this post when I came across this article. Hmm.
Johnny Reads 
Reblogged this on Human Interest.
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I like this concept. Maybe it could be a return of the bookstore? Also, as you say, it would be great for checking out Amazon’s new gadgets. They could split the store and use part to sell their wide variety of other merchandise also to booster the store’s success.
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Me too. I don’t know about the return of the bookstore, though. Cause books are such a small part of their revenue and take up a lot of space. Maybe a small section? I’d definitely go in to check out their new products, though.
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Now I’m starting to really hope this happens. I think it’d be beneficial for both the company and consumer.
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I think you’re right. And I’m definitely hoping it happens. Even if it’s on a small scale like only major cities or something.
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This sounds like an awesome idea! I’m such an Amazon user that it would be super convenient to have a store nearby.
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Yes! It really wouldn’t even matter to me what they carried in the store.
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So sad to hear about Radio Shack. They’ve only served one purpose for me over the years, to buy etchant for metal in small bottles. (It’s used to etch circuit boards, I guess.) Every time, I purchase a headset for a cell phone or replacement part for an electronic device it is usually wrong/broken/etc. Very sad from a history standpoint. Another staple store goes down the drain, killed by the great internet hydra.
I think if Amazon were to use the space It would be great as local shipping hubs, I wouldn’t go shopping there though, anymore than I shop anywhere. I like Amazon for the instant gratification of knowing that my product will arrive from somewhere within seven days if I purchase from anywhere in the US. It’s like Christmas all year.
I don’t think it’s a good business model to go backwards. There’s overhead, staffing, taxes…
I think they will continue as a shopping super power, as is.
My two cents.
Sorry for the long comment.
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Well Amazon already has their distribution centers all over the country, which is why I like the idea of small retail spaces. I don’t know if it’s going backwards for a company that’s never had any kind of brick and mortar footprint, but I see your point.
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I’ve heard that most of the Radio Shack stores will be converted into Sprint stores. Boo.
I like your idea of trying out Kindle/Amazon gadgets. If Amazon basically set up their version of “The Apple Store”, that could be neat and would bring something new to the market. Only carrying books would just make them Barnes and Noble and being a low-prices warehouse store would just make them Wal-Mart or Costco.
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Well Sprint can’t buy 4,000 stores. They have no use for them.
Yes. Although “The Amazon Store” doesn’t have the greatest ring to it. And definitely don’t need any more Wal Marts.
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