Amazon has boldly challenged many of the world’s leading tech makers and service providers in the games they dominated long before Amazon entered the picture.
From streaming content services to smartphones, Amazon is now more than just a great place to shop conveniently and affordably online. Today, Amazon is working its way into numerous new and potentially profitable business ventures — the latest of which could be a sign that Amazon wants to rumble with the likes of Apple in the realm of retail.
On Tuesday, Amazon announced the grand opening of Amazon@Purdue, its first-ever staffed customer order pickup and drop-off location.
The store is housed in the “Krach Leadership Center” at Purdue University’s West Lafayette, Indiana campus.
Amazon says Purdue students now have a new convenient option for receiving textbooks and other college essentials, “all with the same great prices they find every day on Amazon, as well as a hassle-free way to return textbook rentals and other orders.”
In the big picture, however, Amazon may be testing the waters for a much bigger venture. But for now, Amazon is keeping its focus on this one location (although the rumor mill suggests more are on the way).
“We’re excited to open our first-ever staffed pickup location at Purdue, making it more convenient and affordable for students to get everything they need for life on campus,” explains Paul Ryder, Vice President of Media and Student Programs at Amazon. “Whether students are ordering textbooks, laptops, or mac and cheese, Amazon and Purdue are now providing a convenient and secure spot for them to pick up their stuff at hours that work with their schedules. We look forward to bringing this experience to more universities soon.”
