Is Amazon killing retail?

"Someone asked me a while ago if I thought this Amazon phenom can be stopped. If something bigger and better can come along and knock it off its perch. Nope. Amazon is here to stay."

I don't think that years ago, when Jeff Bezos was setting up an online book selling site, he pictured himself as being either a "Captain of Industry" or a world beater. But he has ended up being both. To say that today, Amazon is redefining our retail industry, would be an understatement. His formula for easy peasy online shopping was been just what the doctor ordered. Or should I say, just what the shopper ordered.

Before I go any further - a point of truth. Both my wife and I are hopelessly addicted Amazon shoppers. I would say that over 80% of our purchases are on Amazon and we are Prime members. This Christmas coming, most of the presents we buy will be on Amazon. Meanwhile, stores like WalMart are trying the best they know how - to innovate. Free pickup, let us shop for you, things like that. Some folks like that, some are "meh". But Amazon, the land of almost unlimited selection, mostly rock bottom prices, one or two day shipping (free, if you are Prime) - have most of us remain firmly hooked on Amazon's line.

We have a giant Sear's store in the neighboring city. Been empty for years. Been for lease for years. No bites. Who would want it? The big box stores are going the way of the Dodo Birds and the dinosaurs. Those that remain offer almost non-stop sales - anything, to keep this shrinking number of customers coming in their doors. But alas and alack. It is just a matter of time before they too, fall victim to the easy peasy shopping model Bezos thought of so many years ago.

Some who have not yet fallen under the Amazon spell, might be worried about returns. What if I buy the wrong thing? Does not fit? A gift the person does not want? Recently, Amazon took that easy button for returns, and made it even bigger. Return? Any reason? No big thing. Go on your account and tell Amazon you are returning it. They give you a bar code, and then you take the item (un-boxed) and the bar code to any Kohl's store. They will take it, wrap it for you, and send it back to Amazon, free of charge to you. If that is not easy or risk free, I don't know what is!

Someone asked me a while ago if I thought this Amazon phenom can be stopped. If something bigger and better can come along and knock it off its perch. Nope. Amazon is here to stay. Bezos hates sitting still, so Amazon will continue to innovate. Get better. Bet faster. Get cheaper (where it can). Meanwhile, Kohl's, Target, WalMart, JC Penny's - watch out. Your days might be numbered.