Amazon to open Los Angeles clothing store, in first

This handout image shows how clothing could be displayed at the company’s new Amazon Style store concept. Amazon is set to open its first-ever physical clothing store later this year at the Americana at Brand mall in Glendale, California, that will push out personalised recommendations as customers shop and scan items on their phone and feature high-tech dressing rooms, the company announced on Jan 20, 2021. — Amazon via AP

Amazon’s online commerce empire is taking another step into the real world with plans announced Thursday to open a shop in Los Angeles that would be its first bricks-and-mortar clothing store.

An Amazon Style store to launch later this year is to let customers use the retailer’s app to scan QR codes of garments, chose from sizes and colours, then have items sent to fitting rooms to try on, according to a blog post.

The move to expand its retail presence with a physical clothing store comes as authorities and competitors raise warnings over the Seattle-based firm accumulating too much control over the market.

This move would come on the heels of Amazon’s 2017 acquisition of the Whole Foods Market grocery chain for US$13.7bil (RM57.34bil), which significantly expanded the e-commerce giant’s presence in physical retail.

Fitting rooms in the Style shop are designed to be a “personalised space” where shoppers will find items they requested through the app along with options added based on their choices, according to Amazon.

“Our machine learning algorithms produce tailored, real-time recommendations for each customer as they shop,” Amazon said.

Customers will be able to share style preferences in the app, if they want, to better customise recommendations. The app also lets people see reviews about items from other shoppers.

Touchscreens in fitting rooms will let people continue to shop, with items delivered “in just minutes” for them to try on, according to Amazon.

“This fast delivery is made possible by Amazon Style’s on-site operations, with advanced technologies and processes used in Amazon fulfilment centers,” the company said. – AFP