There is speculation in the UK press that Amazon, the online shopping retailer, might be considering a bricks and mortar presence on the high street to complement their online activities (for example see The Telegraph article Amazon denies high street rumours). I do wonder if this has been slightly exaggerated as it hardly makes much sense as Amazon’s whole business model has been based on being online.

Whilst it isn’t completely inconceivable that pick up points for products might be considered (especially for people living in hard to reach areas) I would suggest this might be more inline with a partnership in an existing store rather than a dedicated unit – much the same as DHL (in WH Smiths for example) and Snapfish (during their association with Jessops) have utilised services of existing stores.

For customers who want to buy then collect their goods this could offer some half way house, and could certainly ease the burden on delivery companies who regularly have to store large items when the customer has “nipped out for a few minutes” and the item won’t fit in the letterbox.

Amazon opening up high street stores? I won’t be putting it on my future predictions list.