Amazon opens UK’s first non-food retail store

Amazon (AMZN) will open its first “4-star” store concept outside the United States on Wednesday at the Bluewater Shopping Center near Dartford in Kent.

Some 2,000 products rated four or more stars on Amazon’s website will be on sale in the new store. It can range from Lego sets, books and pet toys to kitchen gadgets.

There will also be a large tech section dedicated to Amazon’s own devices such as its Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, and smart speakers.

The products for sale will change regularly, depending on what is selling well online. Amazon has approximately 30 such stores in the United States for which the company has received “very positive feedback.” The first 4-star store opened in New York in 2018.

Andy Jones, Director of Amazon 4 Star, UK, said “convenience is part of the store’s offering”. Buyers can scan a QR code and be billed later from their account, or pay in-store the traditional way.

Digital price tags are located next to each product with the item’s price, average star rating, and number of customer reviews.

“Amazon’s 4-star store is a great place for customers to discover new releases, guaranteed page turns, best-selling electronics and more,” he said.

He added that “every part of the store is designed with our customers in mind and we believe they will be delighted with the curated selection of the most popular products at unbeatable prices, the ability to test the latest devices from Amazon and the convenience of choosing. -up and returns.

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Customers can pick up or return orders placed on Amazon online without the need for packaging and labels.

Unlike its Fresh store, this store does not have Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology. Customers can pay by cash, credit card, or through the Amazon app, but an Amazon account is not required.

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This is different from Amazon’s unchecked grocery store, which opened in the UK earlier this year. To use it, customers must be signed up for Amazon’s Prime subscription service, which costs £ 7.99 ($ ​​11) per month.

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In addition to its Fresh store, the online shopping giant also opened a hair salon and six convenience stores in Britain this year.

It is not known if the company wants to open more 4-star stores in the UK.

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