Amazon’s presence in the world of brick-and-mortar retail is expanding with the launch of a new smart home experience at 10 Kohl’s locations in the Los Angeles and Chicago metropolitan areas.
According to Kohl’s, the new smart home spaces are being touted as a “first-of-its-kind” experience where shoppers can purchase Amazon devices, accessories and smart home devices directly from Amazon.
“We believe in the power of our store portfolio and know that our future as a best-in-class omnichannel retailer will be driven by how inventive, compelling and unique we can make our store experience,” said Michelle Gass, Kohl’s chief merchandising and customer officer. “Kohl’s and Amazon share a customer obsession and we’ve joined together to leverage each other’s strengths and deliver a great experience customers can only find at Kohl’s.”
The Amazon areas will be dedicated 1,000-square-foot spaces that will offer a hands-on, interactive and engaging array of smart home products with a variety of Amazon devices, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Fire TV, Fire tablets and more. The experience will showcase how smart home products, many powered by Alexa, can modernize and simplify home management, entertainment, security and more.
Amazon sales associates with knowledge of Amazon devices and smart home products will staff the space. Shoppers are able to schedule an Amazon expert to come to their home, evaluate their needs and install smart home products. Customers can also take advantage of Amazon Home Services, which offers access to vetted local services professionals, to help with everything around the house from cleaning to plumbing.
Dave Zimmer, vp/sales and marketing, Amazon devices, added, “Teaming up with Kohl’s provides an incredible opportunity to pair world-class customer and shopping experiences.”
