Business
Amazon in Talks to Buy Some of RadioShack’s Stores
This March 25, 2014 photo shows a RadioShack store sign in Philadelphia. RadioShack on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 reported its first-quarter loss widened and revenue slumped as the retailer dealt with weakness in its mobile business and consumer electronics. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
(Bloomberg) — Amazon.com Inc., aiming to bolster its brick-and-mortar operations, has discussed acquiring some RadioShack Corp. locations after the electronics chain files for bankruptcy, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
Amazon has considered using the RadioShack stores as showcases for the Seattle-based company’s hardware, as well as potential pickup and drop-off centers for online customers, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the deliberations are private.
The possible move, discussed as part of RadioShack’s looming trip to bankruptcy court, would represent Amazon’s biggest push into traditional retail. Amazon joins other potential bidders, including Sprint Corp. and the investment group behind Brookstone, in evaluating RadioShack stores, people familiar with the situation said. RadioShack has more than 4,000 U.S. locations and is moving toward a deal to sell a portion and close the rest, according to some of the people. Sprint has discussed buying 1,300 to 2,000, they said.
Craig Berman, a spokesman for Amazon, didn’t respond to a request for comment. Merianne Roth, a spokeswoman for Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack, declined to comment, as did a representative for Brookstone.
