Amazon opens first physical bookstore

US online giant Amazon, which has led the bookselling industry's shift to the Internet, opens its first physical bookstore.

"These aren't metaphorical doors: these real, wooden doors are the entrance to our new store in Seattle's University Village," the company said on a web page for the shop, located in Amazon's hometown in the northwest state of Washington.

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The store, called Amazon Books, "is a physical extension of Amazon.com" which "integrates the benefits of offline and online book shopping," the company said. "The books in our store are selected based on Amazon.com customer ratings, pre-orders, sales, popularity on Goodreads and our curators' assessments.

These are fantastic books! Most have been rated four stars or above, and many are award-winners." Amazon said prices will be identical online and at the bookstore, and it encouraged customers to use its mobile application to read reviews and get more information about items.

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"Amazon Books is a store without walls -- there are thousands of books available in store and millions more available at Amazon.com," the statement said. "Walk out of the store with a book; lighten your load and buy it online." The stores will also be selling Amazon-branded devices such as the Kindle, Echo, Fire TV, and Fire Tablet.

Source PTI