Amazon To Open Indie-Minded Store
Amazon, often seen as the archenemy of small retailers, is about to unveil a distinct digital marketplace for goods by independent businesses. The company announced today that the store, called Amazon Exclusives, will sell goods featured on Shark Tank, an ABC reality series with competing entrepreneurs, and products that came to reality on the back of Kickstarter funding. Amazon will also showcase goods that received industry accolades for their innovative qualities. All items in the marketplace will only be avaiable on Amazon and at their makers' existing brick and mortar shops. And they'll be eligible for free two-day shipping to Amazon Prime members.
This is perhaps the clearest step that Amazon has taken to compete with Etsy, a relatively upstart rival trafficking in quirky homemade products that recently announced its upcoming IPO. [AP]
