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Amazon Adds 'Instant Pickup Points' In US Brick-And-Mortar Push (reuters.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the time-is-money dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Amazon is rolling out U.S. pickup points where shoppers can retrieve items immediately after ordering them, shortening delivery times from hours to minutes in its latest move into brick-and-mortar retail. The world's largest online retailer has launched 'Instant Pickup' points around five college campuses, such as the University of California at Berkeley, it said on Tuesday. Amazon has plans to add the program to more sites by the end of the year. Shoppers on Amazon's mobile app can select from several hundred fast-selling items at each location, from snacks and drinks to phone chargers. Amazon employees in a back room then load orders into lockers within two minutes, and customers receive bar codes to access them.

59 comments

  1. pick-up evolves into delivery pizza by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    OMG

  2. Conclusion: by freeze128 · · Score: 2

    Amazon just created a convenience store. Wow!

    1. Re:Conclusion: by marcle · · Score: 1

      Amazon just created a convenience store. Wow!

      Except it's using a computer, so you can patent it.

    2. Re:Conclusion: by Two99Point80 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Amazon just recreated the Automat! Anyone else remember them from New York City?

    3. Re:Conclusion: by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      Amazon just recreated the Automat! Anyone else remember them from New York City?

      Don't recall them from NYC, never been there (and these days no wish to visit).

      However, I do remember first seeing/experiencing an automat as a kid, my family took a trip to visit an aunt & uncle in Detroit in the mid-'60s, maybe 1965 or '66? It was at the southeast corner of Woodward and Grand Circus Park.

      I remember it well because my uncle had words with this one obnoxious fat guy smoking a huge cigar when winter was just getting a good head of steam up, the place was closed up tight and heat blasting, and the stench was gagging everyone, including kids. I didn't overhear what my uncle said and he wouldn't say when I asked, but the guy turned pale and made a hasty-jiggly beeline for the door! I did see a quick shared-smirk between my father and uncle, and both being decorated WW2 front-line combat veterans, I have to suppose whatever was said to Mr. Stinky was deadly-serious.

      The novelty was cool and all, but I actually wasn't that crazy about the food. It was...OK if you're hungry. I mostly filled up on those slices of cherry pie, hah!

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    4. Re:Conclusion: by _merlin · · Score: 1

      I mostly remember the one in the film Dark City. Seems like a strange idea to be honest - the Japanese style of buying a ticket for the meal from a vending machine and then giving it to the person behind the counter makes more sense.

    5. Re:Conclusion: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think that's spelled "V-E-N-D-I-N-G-space-M-A-C-H-I-N-E"

    6. Re:Conclusion: by DrXym · · Score: 3, Informative
      And the concept already exists. I use a courier that delivers parcels to drop off points consisting of steel lockers and a console that accepts a pin code. You authenticate your pin, the locker opens and you get your item.

      The "convenience" of the system is I don't have to be at home to accept a parcel but I still have to drive to the parcel collection point to get it. So convenient in one way and not in another.

  3. Set wifi and public computers by ls671 · · Score: 1

    Great, then set free wifi and/or public computers at the pickup points so people can order right there !

    --
    Everything I write is lies, read between the lines.
  4. Like Circle K by Jack_the_Tripper · · Score: 2

    I do the same thing all the time -- walk a block and buy from a selection of "several hundred fast-selling items" without having to use an app or wait several minutes for my items to appear in a locker. In fact, the items are spread out all over the store and I can just pick them up and take them to a counter to check out.

    Seems to work out pretty well since they're almost always busy...

    1. Re: Like Circle K by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but you're ignoring the up to several hours you are spending browsing through the store.
      An online search engine is far better than physical search.

    2. Re: Like Circle K by laurencetux · · Score: 1

      yeah like any better than average store "clerk" couldn't put anything in the store in your hands on about 30 seconds (okay maybe 80 seconds if its in The Cage)

    3. Re: Like Circle K by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now give the clerk a web interface so you don't have to be there while your stuff is picked out for you, add some automation, and you have what Amazon is trying to do

    4. Re:Like Circle K by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

      but would strange things be afoot there?

  5. Dollar stores beware? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Snacks and drinks and charging cables? Tell me when Amazon starts listing your mom's basement for rent, and then I'll roll off her and take this garbage seriously

  6. Instant pickup isn't new... by DogDude · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ..I've been using it for my entire life.
    1. Go into store.
    2. Hand cash to employee of store.
    3. Receive merchandise.

    I like my method of "instant pickup" better for a bunch of reasons:
    1. Doesn't require giving 2% of my purchase to Visa/Mastercard
    2. Doesn't require giving all of my personal information, including my web browsing history, my social media accounts, my Google accounts, and the history of where I physically go, to Amazon.
    3. Some of my money stays in my local community.
    4. I don't need a fucking app or a fucking phone to buy a fucking snack.

    But hey, what do I know?

    --
    I don't respond to AC's.
    1. Re:Instant pickup isn't new... by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 3, Funny

      But hey, what do I know?

      Too much. You know too much. Get underground now!

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
    2. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fucking brilliant.

    3. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by PoopJuggler · · Score: 1

      Why would 2% go to Visa?

    4. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by DogDude · · Score: 1

      They take a cut of every card-based transaction in the US.

      --
      I don't respond to AC's.
    5. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by mattwarden · · Score: 1

      You're paying the 2% either way unless there is a separate cash price

    6. Re:Instant pickup isn't new... by antdude · · Score: 1

      So what happens if they don't have the products in person? ;)

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    7. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The cut is much less than 2% for people moving serious volume. I've said too much already.

    8. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but that 2% goes to the store not visa, maybe he likes them better.

    9. Re: Instant pickup isn't new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It's probably more than 2% regardless of volume. My card gives me 1.5% back so whatever they charge the merchant is certainly more than that. They aren't going to risk losing money on a transaction after all.

    10. Re:Instant pickup isn't new... by edtice1559 · · Score: 2

      Well this works great if, when you get there, the merchant actually *has* the item that you want. If not you end up making a trip for nothing, wasting time, and still don't have the item. Better if those stores had a web site where you could check inventory. Of course even that's not a solution as it may sell out before you get there. So maybe you could reserve it online and pay when you get there. Now you have the Amazon model. Only they offer additional value which is that, if it's not in the store, they'll bring it your house the next day!

    11. Re:Instant pickup isn't new... by wyHunter · · Score: 1

      If you don't want to be a member of the brave new anti freedom world that's being built, you have to.

  7. but you need prime... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    otherwise, you still have to wait 2 hours....

  8. Steal Underwear/Reap Profits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Brilliant, ruin the retail marketplace and then get in the reail marketplace.

  9. This sounds awesome! by darkain · · Score: 1

    This totally sounds awesome, actually. Amazon will most likely have a different inventory of items than what you'd expect at a normal retail outlet. Ever had a fucked up HDMI cable right before a presentation? Guess what, how many options are in town? Now how many options are jacking up their generic 6ft cables to $50ea? Now you can simply just order an Amazon Basics 6ft HDMI cable for their usual rate. There is tons of shit on Amazon Basics now which is at an amazing rate and extremely high quality. I've yet to damage a single product with their brand name on it over countless years of daily usage.

  10. An efficient convenience store - wow! by uncqual · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So, a convenience store?

    However, perhaps it should be cheaper to run (so, therefore, prices should be lower???).

    Some upsides:

    1. No customer shoplifting
    2. Less space devoted to stock (the items can be high and low and stacked front/back on the spartan shelves and not arranged for "presentation")
    3. Less lossage due to products not getting shopworn or damaged by customers
    4. No cash to handle or be robbed of (I assume it's all credit/debit card based)
    5. Less product handling -> reduced staff costs
    6. No need to train transient employees in "customer relations" (customers will presumably call an 800 number or initiate a chat if they have a problem?)
    7. Easier to automate more completely
    8. No interaction with a human

    Some downsides::

    1. Less opportunity for "impulse buys" at point of purchase (Slim Jim alert!)
    2. No interaction with a human
    --
    Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    1. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by Guillermito · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Sorry to be pedantic but you just made a mistake and listed "No interaction with a human" under "downsides"

    2. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by uncqual · · Score: 2

      You will also notice I listed it as an upside!

      I consider it an upside, but I read comments by people on other sites who would consider it a downside. Some of them claim to actually use a human cashier manned checkstand instead of self-serve checkstand even when doing so takes them more time. One reason given is they LIKE the human interaction with a relative stranger. I don't get this -- I choose to meet my human interaction needs with people I select, not ones the manager of the local supermarket chooses. I wonder if, deep inside their empty lives, they like interacting with someone who has to be nice to them because they are paid to be -- perhaps they value both getting a dose of "polite" human interaction and also like being in control of someone else. But, perhaps that's just the cynic in me talking.

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    3. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by mentil · · Score: 1

      Absolutely true, it's comparable to geisha or host clubs.

      --
      Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
    4. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by UberVegeta · · Score: 1

      Less space devoted to stock (the items can be high and low and stacked front/back on the spartan shelves and not arranged for "presentation")
      Less lossage due to products not getting shopworn or damaged by customers

      In the UK, this is just a re-invention of Argos. Before the internet you'd pick up a new printed catalogue (which they still offer). I spent many a Saturday morning browsing the toys in that catalogue. Writing Christmas / birthday wish-lists was easy, you just wrote down the catalogue numbers. The differentiator here has to be products available on offer, not the speed, surely? I can order more diverse things from Amazon from their massive out of town warehouses than I could from Argos, which has smaller, edge-of-town (or town centre) stores.

      I like my method of "instant pickup" better for a bunch of reasons:
      1. Doesn't require giving 2% of my purchase to Visa/Mastercard
      2. Doesn't require giving all of my personal information, including my web browsing history, my social media accounts, my Google accounts, and the history of where I physically go, to Amazon.
      3. Some of my money stays in my local community.

      Add in that AFAIK, Argos pay all their taxes in the UK.

      --
      I knew I needed to stop reading Slashdot and finish my PhD when I started to miss articles by Bennett Haselton.
    5. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by ffreeloader · · Score: 1

      There are people in this world who actually like other people. They take every opportunity they can to meet and talk to people. So what if that checkout clerk is "only" a clerk in a menial job. Who cares? Not a people person.

      And you're right. It's the arrogant cynic in you.

      --
      "while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude." de Tocqueville
    6. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by uncqual · · Score: 1

      So what if that checkout clerk is "only" a clerk in a menial job.

      Your words, not mine. Rather revealing.

      There are about 7.5 billion humans on Earth. Even if I had a strong desire to interact with every one of them, I would have at best about 80 years to do so. Assuming (VERY optimistically) I could spend 16 hours a day interacting with people (sleeping, eating, etc taking the remainder of the day), I could only spend less than 4.5 seconds interacting one-on-one with each person. That's not going to result in very meaningful relationships, so obviously one needs to prioritize their time and give up on the "interact with everyone" if one wants to develop meaningful relationships.

      The cashier would, almost certainly, rather be spending time with their friends and families than interacting with customers at their "day job". Similarly, I would rather be spending time with my friends and family than engaging in commercial banter (usually scripted and probably tested by "secret shoppers" in some cases). Everyone wins if I spend 90 seconds checking myself out vs. 120 seconds of my time and 60 seconds of the cashier's time doing so.

      I'm really glad that when I want to call a friend overseas (or even a friend a mile away) that I can just dial their number (well, pick their name from my contact list) rather than engaging in banter with "Jim, the operator" at my local exchange while he plugs in cords and, perhaps talks to the "Marge, the upstream operator". Yes, I do have less interaction with people I don't know, but I now have more time to engage in meaningful discussion with my friend.

      When I have more time to do so, it increases the probability that I will cross paths with the cashier outside of a commercial context and we might become friends while sharing some common interest (although it's more likely that I will cross paths and end up becoming friends or engaging in an activity which we both share a passion for with some other cashier (or, someone who has what you call a "menial job")).

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    7. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by edtice1559 · · Score: 1

      And more importantly, since Amazon already has a massive logistics network, they won't ever be out of stock on an item. And even if they are, you won't have customers coming in and leaving frustrated. Also no having to walk around and look for stuff. Really if you know what you want already, this is how shopping should be. Retail should become manufacturer showrooms.

    8. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by arth1 · · Score: 1

      Another downside is when the system fails:

      The recipient is handicapped and cannot go to the drop point.

      An item doesn't fit in the locker. Could be wrong measurements. Could be changed packaging. Could be damaged packaging.

      The recipient is hindered from picking it up and the item is of a perishable nature. (The dry ice or peltier will be used up and the cans of fermented herring starts popping...)

      The goods require a picture ID to be handed over, like some alcohol/tobacco/firearms/medicine products in some states.

    9. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Less opportunity for "impulse buys" at point of purchase (Slim Jim alert!)

      People that bought these items also bought:

    10. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by wyHunter · · Score: 1

      There was a similar chain in the United States called "Consumers Distributing" that worked like that. I loved it.

    11. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by Vitriol+Angst · · Score: 1

      I can use my Android phone to buy
      Send my humanoid assistant to pick up the merch.
      Have my humanoid assistant (not to be confused with an Android, because I already shoved a SIM card up there and she said it was incompatible with her sensibilities).

      I saved a lot of money, and the pictures the humanoid assistant shows me of that bikini I bought on the beach are sensational. I've gotten hundreds of Likes.

      As soon as I take time to go to a party, me and my Amazon shopping assistant will be super popular. Of course, everyone else might send their humanoid -- I don't want to look like an oddball. Hey, It can post those pictures to Facebook too!

      --
      >>"ad space available -- low rates!!!"
    12. Re:An efficient convenience store - wow! by uncqual · · Score: 1

      How come fermented herring cans don't start popping in the first couple weeks after packing? (I think fermented herring is just a joke to play on tourists -- the price is that many locals have to pretend to like it and not toss their cookies at the smell, but I suppose that's a small price to pay for such hilarity).

      Seriously...

      How is it worse for handicapped people than a regular retail store (esp. if they have the ability to "ring a bell" sort of like at some supermarket meat department to get a human if needed). Actually, having everything picked out for you and stored in a "handicapped accessible" locker consistent with your handicap would seem to be a give advantage over traipsing through the aisles of a traditional store picking up the individual items.

      The system would presumably know the size of each item and pick a locker that is sufficiently large and if none were available would presumably tell you that your order couldn't be picked up. Presumably there would also be a "not picked up" timeout that would result in the items being returned to the warehouse from the locker in order to free up lockers.

      The 'adult picture id required' would probably require a human but it might be handled via remote video link and, perhaps, require additional validation the first time you use the service. That's also a small percentage of the good sold (well, maybe not the alcohol example -- at least when I as in college).

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
  11. After Amazon same day delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    took seven days here in downtown Seattle, I doubt this will work. Amazon will still find ways to be slow as hell with shipping. The last thing I ordered from them was a microwave that was supposed to be delivered the same day. That was a Friday, and I didn't receive it until the following Friday. I will not be renewing Prime. As a single guy, it sucked not having a microwave.

    1. Re: After Amazon same day delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But was that because of Amazon or FedEx/UPS?
      Amazon is also looking to launch their own delivery service which would mean they wouldn't have to rely on third parties.

    2. Re: After Amazon same day delivery... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amazon already launched their own delivery service. Mainly they use Uber drivers to deliver packages. According to the Uber driver that finally delivered my package, he went to pick it up on a Friday, and it wasn't ready. He finally got it the following Wednesday then wasn't able to get back to my area until after 9pm on Friday.

  12. And yet... by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    And yet they can't sell their own Kindle Fire tablets on Amazon.ca

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  13. 1870 called, wants its general stores back. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    This is all more or less how stores were run back in ye olde times. You'd hand the guy at the counter the list of the shit you wanted, they'd go get it for you from the stockroom, and you paid and left. Piggly Wiggly pioneered the switch to the current system in the early 20th century and was so successful that no one ever did it the old way again. Until Bezos...

  14. Limited item selection by russotto · · Score: 0

    For instance, at Berkeley all you can get are gas masks, black bandanas, "Bash The Fash" bumper stickers, and baseball bats.

    1. Re: Limited item selection by PoopJuggler · · Score: 4, Funny

      And in Charlottesville all they sell are white hoods and crosses. And Slim Jims.

    2. Re: Limited item selection by Trailer+Trash · · Score: 1

      And in Charlottesville all they sell are white hoods and crosses. And Slim Jims.

      And tiki fuel.

      --
      Do you have ESP?
    3. Re:Limited item selection by wyHunter · · Score: 1

      It seems to be ironic that anti-fascists are fascist terrorists, eh?

  15. Sears Canada by Excelcia · · Score: 1

    Sears Canada is under bankruptcy protection. I have thought for a while what a fantastic marriage that would make. Sears' regional distribution, parts, and warehouse system and Amazon's online footprint. If Amazon is already moving that way in the US, this could let them duplicate that move in Canada in one swell foop.

    1. Re:Sears Canada by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If Sears Canada is anything like Sears in the US, they would probably find a way to make Amazon worse. While you can order items for pickup at a specific store, they won't even send the order to the store if it is less than an hour before closing time. It's not that they don't guarantee that the order will be processed in time, the store is prohibited from even trying. You might as well just close up shop if you have that little faith in your stores. I wouldn't be surprised if they built in unnecessary delays just to make the process less convenient than walking into the store and grabbing the item off the shelf yourself. And then either waiting in line for half an hour at the one open register or wandering around the store for half an hour trying to find an employee...

  16. "Brick-and-mortar push" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you Americans are so backwards clever in how you invent new words and phrases for everything.

  17. Amazon invents Brick and Mortar Retail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    no comment needed.

  18. 'Instant pickup' on campus... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    God I miss college.

  19. Seen in the Wild! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I saw one the other day ->

    Basically a row of 15-20 lockers painted off-yellow with an Amazon logo on one single locker. Each door has a keypad on it & you enter the code issued to you via email. They were bolted to the wall behind a 7-11 and unseen from the street unless cutting through the unlit alley. Not the best location, but hey the rent from 7-11 is cheap, and customers can save a fraction of our ticket price by going here instead of our own mailbox! (gulp*)

  20. There is no such thing as "instant pickup" by wcrowe · · Score: 1

    I suspect you're stlll going to be standing in line, just like you would at any other brick and mortar store.

    I watched how this "free pickup" works at Lowes last week when I went to return something. The people came in to pick up what they had ordered online. First, there was a ton of paperwork. Then the service person had to go find the items from this cage area filled with other crap that people had bought online. Finally he returned with only one of the items, and had to explain to them that the other item wasn't in stock. All in all, the couple could have simply walked in, found their item in an aisle, and paid for it in the self checkout in about the same time or less.

    --
    Proverbs 21:19