Amazon Wants to Get College Students Addicted to Prime

(10/11/2016) Some people worry about the future of US Republican party or conservative. The reason is that in the last two US Presidential elections younger voters have leaned to Democrat party. In many social issues, young generations also support a more open and liberal perspective instead of conservative. The political views, once formed, is often fixed for a long time. This year, all polls show that young voters will lean towards Democrat party again. Definitely the Republican party should worry.
       Will our purchasing behavior be cultivated like our political views?
       If so, then Amazon's pursuing young shopper should make many retailers really worry about their future. Amazon has provided college students with free limited-time Amazon Prime account for years. Now they will go further to cultivate young shoppers in their shopping habits by setting up Amazon virtual store in college campus. The really scary part is: there is no real competition in the market place. Jet.com, Newegg.com, Buy.com are, or Walmart.com are even way too smaller in terms of the services and benefits from their membership. Do you think the retailers should worry about their future?

Amazon 'Improve' Product Reviews

(6/24/2015) Based on Dimensional Research’s survey in 2013, 90% of consumers say buying decisions are influenced by online reviews. Another survey also indicates that about 88% of consumers trust online review as much as personal recommendation. It's not surprising that many companies try to influence their own product or competitor's product review on the internet.

Amazon now announces their new updated review rating system. Amazon will give 'more recent,' 'more helpful' reviews higher weight to counter those illegitimate (complaint on shipping delay) or fake reviews that confuse consumers. But let's wait and see the mouse and cat chasing in the next round. Fake reviews won't die easily.

Amazon Dash, Will It Be Successful?

(4/2/2015) I just heard about Amazon Dash today, that was a not-so-successful product. But check Amazon Dash out, it has built-in microphone for voice searching, barcode scanner, and WiFi function, you can scan or search and let Amazon know what you need. Amazon just launched new Dash Buttons, it covers more than 200 popular brands and products with free Dash Buttons available to its PRIME members.

Will this concept of smart-shopping be successful? From its concept, it is a very powerful tool for manufacturers, especially for big brands. But some smartphone applications has similar capabilities: scan barcode, search where to shop online or locally. They could not make a big splash so far. But I think an application or device from Amazon and Walmart like this "Dash" button may really change the way we shop in the future. Isn't it scary? Now the firms not only know what you buy, they even know how fast you use their product.