Amazon has announced it will close all 87 of its pop-up stores in the United States, as its retail strategy evolves. According to a New York Times article, Amazon will be end its kiosk experiment, which began in 2014, by the end of April. The pop-up shops typically encompass a few hundred square feet, selling retail items such as its Fire tablets and Echo speakers.
The pop-ups were located in malls, Whole Foods stores and Kohl’s locations in 21 states, including two stores in the Denver Metro area, one at Cherry Creek Mall and the other at Park Meadows Mall.
Amazon currently has three physical retail formats. Amazon Books and 4-star stores — that sell the most popular items trending at Amazon.com with a 4 star rating or higher — are expected to remain.
The New York Times article indicated that competition from retailers that are finely calibrating a balance between online sales and physical stores played a part in the company’s decision to close the retail format.
Photo courtesy of Ancillary Retail
