Amazon tests ‘Treasure Truck’ service In Seattle

Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the Retail TouchPoints website.

Amazon is rolling out a Treasure Truck delivery service in the Seattle area. The truck provides consumers with access to limited-quantity goods on sale every day.

The truck appears to encourage consumers to try Amazon’s mobile app but also to get them used to one-hour and same-day delivery.


"Treasure Truck is a new way for Amazon customers to order and pickup highly desirable, limited-quantity products, food, and more," Amazon wrote on Treasure Truck’s webpage. "Treasure Truck features one can’t-miss item per day, several days per week. Each day is unique."

The service promises to offer "a wide-range of amazing items, such as popular consumer products, hard-to-find and exclusive gourmet foods, items from local producers with a unique story, and more."

[Image: Amazon Seattle Treasure Truck]

Consumers can purchase from the Treasure Truck by using the Amazon mobile shopping app, clicking the "Buy Now" button and choosing a convenient location and time slot. Consumers also can show up at a pickup location and purchase a product on the spot.


Shoppers can sign up for push notifications or follow the company’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to find out what items the truck will deliver on a daily basis.

The first Treasure Truck was scheduled to begin delivering products to select pickup locations in Seattle neighborhoods on June 27, but the launch was delayed.

The Treasure Truck’s first offering is a $99 Solstice Bali paddleboard set, which typically retails for $476.99. Other upcoming deals include an exclusive, limited edition Glassybaby tealight glass candleholder, two porterhouse 24-oz steaks for $20 and a Firmstrong Beach Cruiser bicycle for $99.

While the items on the Treasure Truck are often discounted products, Amazon will not overstock the truck with items or other surplus goods.

Amazon has not yet announced plans to bring the Treasure Truck to other markets.

Discussion Questions

What do you see as the potential benefits of Treasure Truck? Will such special perks or rewards be necessary to encourage consumers to use retail apps and/or same-day and hourly delivery?

Poll

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"Amazon continues to experiment with different delivery options. Besides the same-day delivery advantage, the Treasure Truck takes a page from Costco’s Treasure Hunt phenomenon. Shoppers love a treasure hunt, not knowing what is available each day."
Avatar of Richard J. George, Ph.D.

Richard J. George, Ph.D.

Professor of Food Marketing, Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph's University


"Brilliant. The Blue Light Special meets the neighborhood ice cream truck. PLUS they are making it fun—take a look at that experience design: the truck, the bag, real face-to-face physical engagement."
Avatar of Chuck Palmer

Chuck Palmer

Senior Advisor, ConsumerX Retail


Amazon tests ‘Treasure Truck’ service In Seattle

Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion is a summary of a current article from the Retail TouchPoints website.

Amazon is rolling out a Treasure Truck delivery service in the Seattle area. The truck provides consumers with access to limited-quantity goods on sale every day.

The truck appears to encourage consumers to try Amazon’s mobile app but also to get them used to one-hour and same-day delivery.


"Treasure Truck is a new way for Amazon customers to order and pickup highly desirable, limited-quantity products, food, and more," Amazon wrote on Treasure Truck’s webpage. "Treasure Truck features one can’t-miss item per day, several days per week. Each day is unique."

The service promises to offer "a wide-range of amazing items, such as popular consumer products, hard-to-find and exclusive gourmet foods, items from local producers with a unique story, and more."

[Image: Amazon Seattle Treasure Truck]

Consumers can purchase from the Treasure Truck by using the Amazon mobile shopping app, clicking the "Buy Now" button and choosing a convenient location and time slot. Consumers also can show up at a pickup location and purchase a product on the spot.


Shoppers can sign up for push notifications or follow the company’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to find out what items the truck will deliver on a daily basis.

The first Treasure Truck was scheduled to begin delivering products to select pickup locations in Seattle neighborhoods on June 27, but the launch was delayed.

The Treasure Truck’s first offering is a $99 Solstice Bali paddleboard set, which typically retails for $476.99. Other upcoming deals include an exclusive, limited edition Glassybaby tealight glass candleholder, two porterhouse 24-oz steaks for $20 and a Firmstrong Beach Cruiser bicycle for $99.

While the items on the Treasure Truck are often discounted products, Amazon will not overstock the truck with items or other surplus goods.

Amazon has not yet announced plans to bring the Treasure Truck to other markets.

Discussion Questions

What do you see as the potential benefits of Treasure Truck? Will such special perks or rewards be necessary to encourage consumers to use retail apps and/or same-day and hourly delivery?

Poll

0 Comments
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Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

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