Comment by mooreds

It's hard for me to see how this doesn't hurt local vendors badly. Of course, it depends on what the the 25,000 items are, but that was one of the key differentiators between Amazon and local stores--if you needed something and you needed it now, the local store was the only option (things like cabling for a new TV, gifts for a party that night, etc).

Now, for prime members in NYC at least, Amazon is a viable option.

What other moats do local stores have? Amazon wins on:

   * selection
   * cost
   * convenience
   * reputation
   * knowledge (this depends on the local store)

What does the local store win on?

   * feel good factor (supporting local business and employment)
   * hold the item in your hand (not sure there is one word for it in English, but the Germans probably have one)

It's a draw on

   * I need it now

Interesting times, indeed.