Since the outbreak of COVID-19, comics shops and other retailers have been scrambling on how to deal with a massive reduction in foot traffic as state and local governments mandate stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations. On top of having to pivot to curbside service, mail order, and new shipping alternatives, there’s the big slumbering dragon which nobody wants to think about: Amazon. Amazon is already a behemoth, and has quietly spread across the country, adding distribution centers nationwide in a variety of sizes and needs. You can get the details here.
- Sortable (the everyday stuff)
- Non-sortable (big stuff)
- Sortation centers (freight)
- Receive centers (bulk items for promotions)
- Specialty (seasonal)
- Delivery Stations
Specialty: Amazon’s fulfillment network is also supported by additional types of buildings that handle specific categories of items or are pressed into service at peak times of the year such as the holiday season. Many of these buildings feature part-time opportunities with the option to convert to full-time.What is this? Not sure. But according to the job posting (since 404'd by Amazon, but still on LinkedIn):
The Global Specialty Fulfillment (GSF) Supply Chain team is responsible for building the next generation supply chain for Amazon’s world-class ultra-fast customer experiences, including Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, Treasure Truck, Amazon Business, Whole Foods and other soon-to-launch exciting new businesses. Online grocery and ultra-fast delivery is growing at an exponential rate and with planned expansion and marketing initiatives, we expect volume to grow several orders of magnitude this year and in the future. Come be a part of a 100+ Fulfillment Center and Distribution Center network across North America, Europe and APAC – serving highly engaged customers in as fast as 60 minutes! This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in groundbreaking initiatives to solve challenging and interesting problems as we build the first ever distribution network and supply chain capabilities tailored to grocery and ultra-fast customer offerings.Wait... "Treasure Truck"? What's that?
Here's the official site for shoppers. What you see above is basically the entire page.
Here's the FAQ.
In a nutshell, for consumers:
They tell you what the day's special is, you order it online, then pick it up at a specified location.How do I buy from Treasure Truck?
It’s easy! When it’s an offer day, you can find Treasure Truck at amazon.com/treasuretruck or in the free Amazon app (in main menu under Programs and Features). Check out the offer, then tap the yellow button to find where we'll be that day. Pick a location that works for you, and finish checking out. Then, meet us at your selected time and pickup location to get the goods!
Pop up retail, really, either via the truck, or even inside a building.
(♫ Oh the Wells Fargo Wagon is a coming down the street / Oh please let it be for me ♪)
What's to keep them from setting up in an empty building during San Diego Comic-Con? Has anyone ever done a pop-up warehouse?!
Hell... what's to keep them from setting up in the Grand Hyatt, which usually doesn't rent all their space to CCI? Or rent an empty parking garage or parking lot? Imagine: every other parking space has an Amazon Prime van parked, each with its own product. You wander like at a flea market. When the van is empty, it leaves and is replaced by another. Run it 24/7 (Tuesday-Monday). Amazon Prime members get in early each day.
Hell... what's to keep them from setting up in the Grand Hyatt, which usually doesn't rent all their space to CCI? Or rent an empty parking garage or parking lot? Imagine: every other parking space has an Amazon Prime van parked, each with its own product. You wander like at a flea market. When the van is empty, it leaves and is replaced by another. Run it 24/7 (Tuesday-Monday). Amazon Prime members get in early each day.
Can't get a ticket to Comic-Con? Come shop Amazon's dealers room! Lots of great specials at great prices!
What's to keep this retail Gorilla Grodd from hosting a few autographing sessions at "Amazon-dot-Con"? Or...taking it on the road and running their own consumer shows?
Of course, the Amazon camel is already inside the tent at most cons, usually via Amazon Prime Video. It's not too difficult to drive a van onto the show floor... every convention center hosts an auto show, and New York Comic Con features Chevy models every year. Tour buses, campers, walk-through carnival trailers are not unusual at publisher trade shows. (Easier to set up and take down, really.)
The Treasure Truck is just a daily exclusive like every other booth offers. Unable to buy a booth at a con? Buy a day on the Amazon Treasure Truck during the show. Heck... Amazon could also do their offers HOURLY, like the cable shopping channels. You'll get more buzz than you would at a booth, at less cost than renting booth space and paying for staff and union fees.
Of course, the Amazon camel is already inside the tent at most cons, usually via Amazon Prime Video. It's not too difficult to drive a van onto the show floor... every convention center hosts an auto show, and New York Comic Con features Chevy models every year. Tour buses, campers, walk-through carnival trailers are not unusual at publisher trade shows. (Easier to set up and take down, really.)
The Treasure Truck is just a daily exclusive like every other booth offers. Unable to buy a booth at a con? Buy a day on the Amazon Treasure Truck during the show. Heck... Amazon could also do their offers HOURLY, like the cable shopping channels. You'll get more buzz than you would at a booth, at less cost than renting booth space and paying for staff and union fees.
Can't get a ticket to Con? Not at the show? Pick up at a parking garage nearby, or pay extra and have it shipped.
Take a look at this map:
How many of those cities already have a major geekfest?
It's not difficult for the local truck to park outside a show.
It's not much more difficult to have that Treasure Truck make a circuit of shows, just like comics dealers did back in the 1980s. There's a local Amazon distribution center nearby, remember? Even if there isn't, Amazon can still load a semitrailer and have it meet the Truck at any site. If Amazon does it correctly, there's also a rockstar tourbus following where the staff works, eats, and sleeps while "on tour".
It's Amazon Prime Day, but in person. (Sweet Rowland Hussey Macy ... what if Amazon staged Prime Day nationwide, like a sidewalk sale or flea market? Or a NYC street fair like Atlantic Antic? Associate sellers could rent booth space, Amazon could make it a road show ... but I digress.)
Treasure Truck, comic cons... What happens when Amazon becomes an online specialty retailer of comics, games, and other geeky sidelines? Find out in the next installment!
It's not difficult for the local truck to park outside a show.
It's not much more difficult to have that Treasure Truck make a circuit of shows, just like comics dealers did back in the 1980s. There's a local Amazon distribution center nearby, remember? Even if there isn't, Amazon can still load a semitrailer and have it meet the Truck at any site. If Amazon does it correctly, there's also a rockstar tourbus following where the staff works, eats, and sleeps while "on tour".
It's Amazon Prime Day, but in person. (Sweet Rowland Hussey Macy ... what if Amazon staged Prime Day nationwide, like a sidewalk sale or flea market? Or a NYC street fair like Atlantic Antic? Associate sellers could rent booth space, Amazon could make it a road show ... but I digress.)
Treasure Truck, comic cons... What happens when Amazon becomes an online specialty retailer of comics, games, and other geeky sidelines? Find out in the next installment!
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