Amazon To Open More Physical Stores — Eventually

Image courtesy of Akira Ohgaki

While its second bricks-and-mortar bookstore isn’t expected to open until later this summer, Amazon is already looking toward a future with more physical stores, as well as a beefed-up online presence through its subscription Prime service. 

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos outlined what he envisions for the future of the e-commerce giant during a shareholder meeting on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Bezos told investors that the retail giant will expand its offline presence with additional stores following the opening of a second bookstore in San Diego in coming months. The company’s first bookstore opened in Seattle last fall. 

“We’re definitely going to open additional stores, how many we don’t know yet,” he said. “In these early days it’s all about learning, rather than trying to earn a lot of revenue.”

The CEO didn’t specify how many or when the new stores would open.

As for Amazon’s already robust $99/year Prime membership service — which already includes free two-day delivery on many items, access to Prime video, Prime Now hour or same-day deliveries, exclusive private label brands, restaurant delivery, and other programs — Bezos says the company will continue to add features.

Bezos said he wants to pack the service full of options for customers so that they feel they “are being irresponsible” if they aren’t members.

Amazon Plans More Stores, Bulked-Up Prime Services [The Wall Street Journal]

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