Amazon source confirms high street store plans

At a press event this week, a source close to Amazon confirmed the company's plans to launch a presence on UK high streets.

The news follows earlier reports that the company wants a bricks and mortar presence in order to satisfy growing consumer demand to buy online and pick up in store.

Amazon had stated previously it has no plans to open physical stores anywhere in the world, although the firm already allows French and Belgian customers to pick up deliveries from Relais Kiala grocery stores. However the source said Amazon was considering pop-up shops in the UK that exist for a short time in busy periods.

He said that as far back as six months ago Amazon was discussing the strategy internally, although he added that he was unaware of whether it was still going ahead.

But reports published on Monday, which said Amazon has been speaking to property owners about the potential for a high street store presence, indicate the plans are still in full swing.

Amazon would not comment on whether it has plans to partner with UK retailers.

Branching out from its traditional web model would be a significant move for Amazon, as the trend up until now has been in the opposite direction, from high street stores to online. Most recently Woolworths and Littlewoods both transitioned from bricks and mortar to online only operations.

10 Dec 2009