[ctdonath2]

Best to assume it’s not stupid, and discern what’s smart about it.

By doing this, Amazon...
encroaches on competing brick and mortar turf
establishes pickup options
lowers shipping costs
builds local mini warehouses
enables physical browsing
facilitates “one hour” shipping

[Red in Blue PA]

Indeed.

Amazon rarely does stupid.

[sparklite2]

By doing this, Amazon...
encroaches on competing brick and mortar turf

by embracing property taxes, sales taxes,  & depreciation?

establishes pickup options

pickup can't get any easier than Kindle

lowers shipping costs

only applies to in-stock items.  inventory carrying costs

builds local mini warehouses

decentralization adds people, payroll cost

enables physical browsing

already have "see-inside" online

facilitates "one hour" shipping

can't be any faster than Kindle.

[Theoria]

Yeah, also the whole tax issue considering online orders.

They would handle returns, do phones, have food etc. Might work.

I don't discount Amazon, I like the fact they will 'try' something unexpected/expected kinda the whole point.

Good for them, glad they want to create some jobs.