How Would Amazon Offering Retail In-Store Items Affect You?

In an article yesterday, Ina asked, "What If Amazon Opened Its Marketplace to Retail In-Store Inventory?" Some sellers reacted with worry; others were less concerned. "I cannot see this being a good thing," said a couple of sellers on an online forum.

The move was compared to eBay's tie-in with retailers using eBay Now, where customers buy from a retailer via eBay but then go to a local store to pick it up.

But one seller wrote on Facebook that there were several reasons sellers should not be afraid of this happening more on Amazon (or eBay) because:

-  Customers who shop online (don't) want to drive to the store
- "Customers still need to wait in line at customer service to pick up n sign the receipt (still a hassle)"
- Stores would now have to cut their margin because they have to pay Amazon and eBay fees
- "Local stores do not carry extension of inventory"
- eBay buyers still want to bid (some, anyway...)
-  "Stores will not do auction...."
Not to mention,  "Etc. lol."

The question was prompted by the news that Amazon acquired GoPago, "a company whose point-of-sale solution links merchants and consumers in-store, online and via mobile devices." It was compared to eBay's acquisition of eBay acquired Milo, which technology eBay integrated  into the eBay.com platform "to provide consumers with access to millions of products from 50,000 brick-and-mortar stores, and it powers eBay Now same-day delivery."

While the prospect of competing with many more retailers on Amazon is daunting, it may not be the Goliath that some sellers may fear. And more and more sellers are also realizing it's not a good idea to have all their product eggs in one basket.

As for in-store pickup, as a somewhat lazy shopper myself, I can't understand the appeal of having to drive to go get an item I bought when I could simply have it shipped to me. Unless I was in a big hurry, in which case I would probably just drive to the store in the first place.

If you sell on Amazon, are you worried about such a possibility of many more retail stores listing their inventory online? And do you think these retailers would take the trouble of sending inventory to FBA, thereby adding more competition to those offerings? How much has the advent of retailers selling directly on eBay impacted you? Or, are you like one seller said, not worried, because you sell antique and vintage items, or other items that wouldn't be affected? Post a comment here!

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