Unlike its regular bookstores, these new ones are likely to include electronic hardware and services too.

Amazon’s plan of dominating the retail landscape could extend well beyond just books and groceries.

The New York Times has reported citing sources familiar with the matter at hand, that the world’s biggest online retailer is “exploring” the possibility of opening an appliance and furniture stores with a technological angle.

Amazon plans on capitalizing either on augmented or virtual reality in these stores in order to make the buying decision simpler for consumers. Amazon being Amazon, it is very likely that it could challenge some of its retail rivals directly with this technology.

The internet giant is reportedly mulling an electronics store that is similar in concept to Apple’s.  While Amazon’s bookstores already carry some of its hardware, in their new avatar, Amazon’s shops will also features devices and services, including Prime Video and Echo speakers.

Before you get your hopes too high, please take a moment to note that talking about opening a store isn’t the same as having definitive plans. Naturally if the idea proves to be unworkable, Amazon will scrap it forthwith.

The interesting thing to note at this juncture is that, while Amazon has been instrumental in rendering brick-and-mortar stores obsolete, it now seems to be trying to revive if not reinvigorating them, albeit by using its technological internet-enabled advantages.

If Amazon were to open a physical store, it would be an admission that consumers still prefer a hands-on experience as opposed to an online one, although they are happy with that too.