Mall operator chief executive officer backtracks on comments concerning Amazon bookstores

The chief executive officer of a U.S. mall operator UN agency same on that Amazon.com INC (AMZN.O) plans to open up to four hundred physical bookstores tried to downplay his comments on weekday, while not specifically denying them, oral communication they were "not intended" to represent the net retailer's plans.

Sandeep Mathrani, chief government of Chicago-based General Growth Properties INC (GGP.N), that owns and leases retail mall properties, same on his company's earnings decision with analysts on weekday that Amazon had plans to open "300 to four hundred bookstores."

His comments drove down shares of proprietor Barnes & Noble INC (BKS.N).

The mall operator didn't, however, indicate whether or not its processed statement meant Amazon wasn't coming up with bookstores. Kevin Berry, the vp of capitalist relations at General Growth, declined to elaborate any.

An Amazon spokesperson same on weekday that the corporate doesn't discuss "rumors and speculation."

Separately, technology news web site Re/code reportable on weekday that Amazon would so open a lot of bookstores, though it same there have been no immediate plans for three hundred to four hundred stores.

Amazon is hiring Associate in Nursing assistant store manager based mostly within the La Jolla or city space, per a recent job posting found on its web site. Re/code initial reportable on the task posting.

It additionally same the corporate plans to open up stores commercialism alternative forms of product, though it's not clear what they might sell or however they might be established.

Before branching dead set provide everything from recent groceries to original TV programming, Amazon started as an internet proprietor twenty years past.

Amazon opened a bookshop in its home town of port of entry in November. Associate in Nursing enlargement of bookstores would be a surprise reversal for the net retail merchant attributable with driving physical booksellers out of business.

Its bookshop in port of entry carries books selected  supported client ratings and their quality on Amazon.com. The front additionally provides an area for guests to test-drive Amazon's Kindle, fireplace TV and alternative devices.