I read with surprise a sales email today from amazon.com. The main sales message was:

A new school year calls for new school stuff. At Amazon.com, students can stock up on everything from backpacks that tote their books to snacks that fuel study sessions. From kindergarten to college, we’ve got you covered.

Hang on, did that say snacks? From a bookstore?

“Gee, mum, I feel hungry, I’d better logon to amazon.com?”

I noticed on Amazon’s grocery pages that they sell all types of food. My assumption would be that “hey, customers are already online buying other books and gear, why not let them include grocery items in their order. Especially college kids away from home.”

It extends the idea of a bookstore and coffee shop for “enhanced browsing/retention in the store” to the online environment. And it adds revenue streams. But I’m still having some trouble making the association between Amazon and non-books/CDs.

Amazon having a “back to school sale” — yes. For breakfast food? Hmmmm.