Amazon Is Closing Its Pop-Up Stores, So Where Can You Try Out Alexa IRL Now?

These pop-ups are closing down.

By Erica Loop March 8, 2019

Recent reports claim that all 87 of Amazon’s pop-up stores are about to shutter for good. Even though its online success turned the once-book-selling site into retail royalty, the pop-ups partnerships are going the way of the dinosaurs.

The kiosks, located inside of brick-and-mortar retailers such as Kohl’s and Whole Foods Markets, give would-be online customers the chance to get hands-on and test drive devices such as Echo smart speakers and Kindle e-readers IRL. While these in-store mini-stores may have made sense for the e-tailer, it looks like Amazon is ready to go in a different direction.

In to a statement emailed to Red Tricycle by an Amazon representative, “Across our Amazon network, we regularly evaluate our businesses to ensure we’re making thoughtful decisions around how we can best serve our customers.“

photo: Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re wondering if Amazon is totally abandoning their real-world presence with the pop-ups closing down, the company’s representative added, “After much review, we came to the decision to discontinue our pop-up kiosk program, and are instead expanding Amazon Books and Amazon 4-star, where we provide a more comprehensive customer experience and broader selection.”

Before FOMO sets in and you rush out to your nearest pop-up, you’ll still get the chance to try out (and of course, buy) your fave devices at Amazon Books and Amazon 4-star, “We look forward to opening additional locations of both stores this year. We are excited to introduce even more customers to these in store shopping experiences where they can discover highly rated books, toys, games, home and kitchen goods, electronics, Amazon devices and more.”

—Erica Loop

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