In a shift in its bricks-and-mortar store strategy reported yesterday by the Wall Street Journal, Amazon is closing all 87 of its pop-up stores in the U.S., some of which have been open for only a few months, and putting renewed emphasis on its "4-star" stores (featuring products rated four stars or higher by customers, including some books); Amazon Go cashierless stores; the new grocery store chain it announced recently--and its Amazon Books books and electronics stores. The company confirmed the Journal's report.
Although news about Amazon Books was sparse--a spokesperson said only that it will open "additional locations" of Amazon Books and 4-star stores "this year"--yesterday Barnes & Noble stock fell almost 9%, closing at $5.84, as Wall Street interpreted the Amazon move as a threat to B&N. (Bad news from B&N Education, a separate company, also hurt B&N's stock.)
The first of the Amazon's pop-up stores of a few hundred square feet opened five years ago. They feature electronics and are in malls, Kohl's stores and some Whole Foods stores. They will all close by April 29.
An Amazon spokesperson told the Journal that the company prefers to focus on stores "where we provide a more comprehensive customer experience and broader selection." Amazon has 19 Amazon Books locations. Its newest, in Denver, Colo., opened yesterday.