The tablets are coming, and they’re coming in a very big way. Apple just so happened to be the first ones on the market when the iPad launched a few years back, but their monopoly surely wouldn’t hold sway forever, and much like with the smartphone, the late Steve Jobs and his company Apple produced innovations that have paved the way for what’s now an entire industry, complete with multiple high-level players jockeying for their spot at the top. With so many options arriving, the tablet game is becoming an intense one, and some of the more recent developments could lead to a very interesting holiday season in terms of competition in the electronics sector.
It wasn’t long ago that Target decided it didn’t feel like selling Amazon’s Kindle family of products in their stores. Not too terribly long ago, Wal-Mart decided to follow suit. That means that two of the nation’s largest (and most popular) retailers no longer offered their customers the Kindle products upon which Amazon is betting so heavily.
Their decision is an obvious one, as Amazon is essentially a competitor to both of those locations. Rather than give their customers a way to shop somewhere else, Target and Wal-Mart decided to take their chances with the iPad, Nexus, and Microsoft Surface tablets.
As this “problem” continues to develop, Amazon finds itself facing an interesting situation. Retailers are refusing to offer their product, because its massive success is leading it to wind up being an actual competitor. The real issue for Amazon is the high benefit of giving customers a place to look at, touch, and interact with their Kindle before they purchase it.
Unsurprisingly enough, Amazon is considering going the way of Apple (and now Microsoft) in order to support the launch of its upcoming Kindle Fire. In a clear emulation of its competitors, Amazon might hope to capitalize on some of the success Apple encountered when it opened its dedicated Apple stores. By reflecting the company’s distinctive branding and offering a no-frills customer experience, Apple users could come in, ask questions, and look at the machinery they were considering before pulling the trigger on the purchase.
Microsoft have essentially swiped this idea with their (almost comically) similar Microsoft stores, and now Amazon is considering throwing its hat in the ring. Rather than invest in a large chain of permanent stores, the online giant is planning its invasion of the physical marketplace with scores of “pop-up” stores across the country. Functioning in exactly the way their name suggests, pop-up stores are temporary locations typically created with the specific purpose of promoting some kind of event or holiday.
If these retail locations are successful, Amazon could find itself experiencing huge success as it launches the newest members of its Kindle family this holiday season. Perhaps they’ll consult www.myonlineestateagent.com when they’re looking for their store locations, in an attempt at finding the best deal and locations! Whatever their choice, Amazon are making it clear that they intend to leverage themselves as major players in the tablet game.
