Report: Amazon considering Ohio stores
Amazon plans to open several retail locations that will operate like department stores, and the first locations are expected to be in Ohio and California, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
The stores will sell clothes, household items, electronics and other items, the Journal said, citing sources familiar with the matter. They will have about 30,000 square feet, smaller than most department stores.
It’s not clear what brands Amazon will offer, although the company’s private-label goods are expected to be featured prominently, the sources told the newspaper.
Amazon already sells clothes, furni
ture, batteries and electronic devices through many of its own labels.
The company refused to talk about the project Thursday.
“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation,” Amazon said.
Proceeding with the project would represent a significant change for Amazon, which has been so successful selling products online that it has pushed many traditional retailers out of business.
In recent years, though, Amazon has been investing in more physical locations including its purchase of Whole Foods Markets in 2017.
If the initial stores are developed in Ohio, it would mark continued expansion in a state where Amazon already has significant operations, including data centers, distribution centers and warehouses.
It also is developing solar farms throughout the state and has invested in wind farms. mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams