In what is being described as the most high profile move of a web-only retailer onto the high street, it's been revealed that American company Amazon is planning a "surprise invasion" of the British high street.

The news, reported by The Times, comes from property sources who report that Amazon is currently scouring the UK for suitable premises, some said to be high profile, and some said to be out of town for parking reasons.

The logic behind the move into bricks-and-mortar is that customers are said to be increasingly looking for a click to buy online and then collect when convenient service, similar to Argos' operations.

One source familiar with Amazon's plans told The Times: "When Amazon was just selling books and CDs that fitted easily through the letterbox it was fine to be a web-only business, but now it has branched out into everything from children's bikes to electricals it believes it could boost sales by having stores that offer a collection point for shoppers. It will probably be an Argos-style operation".

Amazon has refused to comment on the plans - we will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Amazon has now issued a statement to Pocket-lint:

"We have no plans to open physical stores anywhere in the world."

Via: business.timesonline.co.uk

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