Amazon plans to open up to four hundred bookstores, says mall operator

Amazon.com opposition (AMZN.O) plans to open up to four hundred physical bookstores, AN government of a serious U.S. mall operator same on Tuesday.

Amazon lordotic its toe into the waters of brick-and-mortar stores with the gap of a bookshop in its home town of Seattle in November. AN growth of bookstores, that the corporate has not confirmed, would be a surprise reversal from the net merchant attributable with driving physical booksellers out of business.

"You've got Amazon gap brick-and-mortar bookstores and their goal is to open, as I perceive, three hundred to four hundred bookstores," Sandeep Mathrani, chief government of General Growth Properties opposition (GGP.N), same on Tuesday, responding to AN analyst's question once it reportable earnings.

On the decision, Mathrani compared Amazon's plans to similar moves by eyeware company Warby Parker or convenience article of clothing merchant Bonobos, each of that opened physical stores once finding success on-line.

An Amazon interpreter same the corporate doesn't inquire into "rumors and speculation."

Before branching dead set supply everything from contemporary groceries to original TV programming, Amazon got its begin as a owner twenty years agone. it's since revolutionized the publication business by introducing its in style e-reader, the Kindle.

Amazon's bookshop in Seattle carries books chosen supported client ratings and recognition on Amazon.com. The shopfront additionally provides an area for guests to test-drive Amazon's Kindle, fireplace TV and alternative devices.

Any move by Amazon to expand stores would additional antagonize long-time rivals like Barnes & Noble opposition (BKS.N), the most important U.S. bookshop chain, that operated 640 bookstores across the u.  s. as of Jan.

Shares of Barnes & Noble fell over five p.c on Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal initial reportable Mathrani's comments on Tuesday.

Kevin Berry, vice chairman of capitalist relations at General Growth Properties, declined to comment on the far side what was same throughout the call.