Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is planning to open a retail store in Seattle as a pilot test to see if a chain of stores would be profitable, U.S. media reported on Monday.
Amazon will go with the small boutique route focusing on books from its line of Amazon Exclusives as well as their e-readers and tablets, according to a report by goodereader.com, a website on latest news of electronic readers.
The company will stock "shelves with only high margin and high- end items. Their intention is to mainly hustle their entire line of Kindle e-Readers and the Kindle Fire. They also will be stocking a ton of accessories such as cases, screen protectors, and USB adapters," said the report.
Amazon has tested several concepts in Seattle, such as its fresh food delivery service.
Meanwhile, having retail stores means Amazon will have to start paying more taxes. The company has been under increasing pressure from state governments and traditional retailers as it only collects sales taxes from customers in only five U.S. states.
Amazon already collects sales tax in the state of Washington, so it won't have challenges for opening a store in Seattle.
