Since opening a retail store last year in Seattle, rumors have swirled that Amazon is planning to open bookstores around the country. In fact, a recent news report from The Wall Street Journal quoted “Sandeep Mathrani, chief executive of General Growth Properties, publicly stated that Amazon could possibly open 300 to 400 bookstores.” Although there has been no confirmation of this. The Wall Street Journal has all but confirmed this: “BREAKING: Amazon expected to launch 300-400 PHYSICAL bookstores nationwide. $AMZN. More on http://WSJ.com . HT@GregBensinger“
Even the The New York Times is adding fuel the rumors by reporting that; “Even if Amazon is not planning to go nationwide with its stores anytime soon, any expansion of its brick-and-mortar presence is likely to send shivers down the spines of other booksellers. Amazon’s success as an online retailer of physical and electronic books has already devastated chains like Borders and seriously wounded Barnes & Noble. Independent booksellers, though, are seeing sales growth in many parts of the country, showing how reluctant some book fans have been to give up browsing store shelves.”
At this time, there has been no press release, no confirmation, and no announcement from Amazon regarding the opening of any retail outlets.
