Last week, Amazon unveiled plans to build a physical fashion store concept, dubbed Amazon Style, in Los Angeles. The e-commerce giant says the store will offer “together the best of shopping on Amazon–great prices, selection, and convenience–with an all new shopping experience built to inspire.”
Amazon has proven to be a giant in online apparel shopping, growing year after year. Last March, Wells Fargo reported that the company surpassed Walmart as the No. 1 apparel retailer in the United States. Now, the company is looking to transfer that online success into physical success with Amazon Style.
The 30,000–sf store will be about the size of a typical TJ Maxx, but smaller than your average department store. The first location is set to open in a Los Angeles suburb later this year. Amazon has given physical retail a shot in the past in the form of groceries and books, but it has never sold clothing or shoes in stores, until now.
Amazon will stock its own products, well known names such as Adidas and Jockey, as well as up-and-coming brands. The store will cater to every price point. “You’ll find everything from the $10 basic to the designer jeans to the $400 timeless piece,” said Simoina Vasen, managing director of Amazon Style.
Amazon's Tech-Based Shopping Experience
Customers will notice a few different features than your average retail clothing store as soon as they walk in the door. Amazon Style will be the first of its kind, truly relying on technology and their mobile app.
The front of the store will feature “display items” with one size and one color of each product, and customers will be able to scan a QR code and see the sizes, colors, and products available.
Each of the fitting rooms will have touch screens where shoppers can have items sent to them. Lastly, checkout will be facilitated by Amazon One, the company’s palm-scanning technology.
Non-Traditional Retail Convenience
Obviously this way of shopping is non-traditional, but the real question is will it work? After the announcement, there has been some debate on whether or not shoppers prefer this style of shopping or would rather search through clothing racks for a hidden gem.
Many shoppers do enjoy the experience of “treasure hunting”, but the company believes in their mission. Although Amazon Style’s QR code model doesn’t necessarily fall in line with those customers wanting to look through different selections, it does offer one thing that many people look for when it comes to their time and shopping experience, which is convenience.
Convenience seems to be the common theme with Amazon Style’s QR code model, and Vasen believes their “unique store design, advanced technology, and thoughtful curation will make it easier than ever for customers to have an inspiring, convenient, enjoyable, and ultimately successful shopping experience.”
Related Stories
Retail Centers | May 20, 2015
Quick service restaurants evolving brand strategy to compete with fast casual: JLL report
In the race for market share, quick service restaurant staples Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A implement creative development strategies.
Retail Centers | May 18, 2015
ULI forecast sees clear skies for real estate over next three years
With asset availability declining in several sectors, rents and transactions should rise.
Sponsored | Coatings | May 14, 2015
Prismatic coatings accent the new Altara Center
This multi-use campus will contain a university, sports facilities, medical center, and world-class shopping
Retail Centers | May 13, 2015
To succeed, malls must appeal to shopper lifestyles
Malls and shopping centers are more effective as destinations when their tenant mix appeals to customers’ lifestyles beyond shopping and includes fitness centers, gourmet cooking shops, and sustainable-product options.
Mixed-Use | May 5, 2015
Miami ‘innovation district’ will have 6.5 million sf of dense, walkable space
Designing a neighborhood from the ground-up, developers aim to create a dense, walkable district that fulfills what is lacking from Miami’s current auto-dependent layout.
Sponsored | Daylighting | Apr 8, 2015
Bigger, brighter daylighting in Byerly's supermarket
More natural light was needed, but the project team wanted it to be diffused across large areas of the store.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2015
$100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia
The new King Abdullah Economic City was conceived to diversify the kingdom's oil-dependent economy by focusing more in its shipping industry.
Mixed-Use | Mar 13, 2015
Dubai announces mega waterfront development Aladdin City
Planned on 4,000 acres in the Dubai Creek area, the towers will be covered in gold lattice and connected via air-conditioned bridges.
High-rise Construction | Mar 12, 2015
Foster and Partners designs 'The One' in Toronto
Developer Sam Mizrahi worked with Foster and Partners and Core Architects to design Toronto's tallest skyscraper aside from the CN Tower, The One, which will house a luxury shopping mall and condos.
Retail Centers | Mar 10, 2015
Retrofit projects give dying malls new purpose
Approximately one-third of the country’s 1,200 enclosed malls are dead or dying. The good news is that a sizable portion of that building stock is being repurposed.
