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
| Nov 3, 2010
Chengdu retail center offers a blend of old and new China
The first phase of Pearl River New Town, an 80-acre project in Chengdu, in China’s Wenjiang District, is under way along the banks of the Jiang’an River. Chengdu was at one time a leading center for broadcloth production, and RTKL, which is overseeing the project’s master planning, architecture, branding, and landscape architecture, designed the project’s streets, pedestrian pathways, and bridges to resemble a woven fabric.
| Nov 1, 2010
Sustainable, mixed-income housing to revitalize community
The $41 million Arlington Grove mixed-use development in St. Louis is viewed as a major step in revitalizing the community. Developed by McCormack Baron Salazar with KAI Design & Build (architect, MEP, GC), the project will add 112 new and renovated mixed-income rental units (market rate, low-income, and public housing) totaling 162,000 sf, plus 5,000 sf of commercial/retail space.
| Nov 1, 2010
Vancouver’s former Olympic Village shoots for Gold
The first tenants of the Millennium Water development in Vancouver, B.C., were Olympic athletes competing in the 2010 Winter Games. Now the former Olympic Village, located on a 17-acre brownfield site, is being transformed into a residential neighborhood targeting LEED ND Gold. The buildings are expected to consume 30-70% less energy than comparable structures.
| Oct 12, 2010
The Watch Factory, Waltham, Mass.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards — Gold Award. When the Boston Watch Company opened its factory in 1854 on the banks of the Charles River in Waltham, Mass., the area was far enough away from the dust, dirt, and grime of Boston to safely assemble delicate watch parts.
| Oct 6, 2010
From grocery store to culinary school
A former West Philadelphia supermarket is moving up the food chain, transitioning from grocery store to the Center for Culinary Enterprise, a business culinary training school.
| Sep 16, 2010
Gehry’s Santa Monica Place gets a wave of changes
Omniplan, in association with Jerde Partnership, created an updated design for Santa Monica Place, a shopping mall designed by Frank Gehry in 1980.
| Sep 13, 2010
3D Prototyping Goes Low-cost
Today’s less costly 3D color printers are attracting the attention of AEC firms looking to rapidly prototype designs and communicate design intent to clients.
| Aug 11, 2010
CTBUH changes height criteria; Burj Dubai height increases, others decrease
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)—the international body that arbitrates on tall building height and determines the title of “The World’s Tallest Building”—has announced a change to its height criteria, as a reflection of recent developments with several super-tall buildings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Swiss Farms to open drive-thru grocery
Swiss Farms, America’s drive-through grocer, will unveil its new prototype store designed by retail design and branding firm, Chute Gerdeman Retail. The new store, in Ridley Township, Pa., features a new brand identity, an eye-catching barn motif and 21st century touches, including LED displays that tie merchandise offerings to the weather forecast.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
