Look, out retailers. Amazon has opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar store.
Amazon announced that it has opened a pickup and drop-off location on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The company is also offering free one-day shipping for students who ship their purchases to the Purdue store.
Amazon said that students “now have a new convenient option for receiving textbooks and college essentials” and also “a hassle-free way to return textbook rentals and other orders.”
The company said it is looking to expand to more universities soon.
This is a big departure for the retail giant that has dominated online sales.
But Amazon has experimented with physical locations before, placing lockers in stores across the country. And Bloomberg reports that Amazon is considering a purchase of RadioShack stores after the company files for bankruptcy.
Physical locations could be a good deal for some customers. Last year, Amazon raised its Amazon Prime membership to $99 in annual payments from $79, so customers have had to pay more for two-day shipping, video streaming and access to e-books. In 2013, Amazon raised the required minimum purchase for free shipping to $35 from $25.
