7-Eleven Becomes Amazon's Drop-off Spot

October 17, 2011


Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. retail (adj.) [ree-teyl] – the sale of products in small quantities
Example: They can only buy necessary goods in retail due to lack of finances. 

2. arrival (n.) [uh-rahy-vuhl] – an instance where a destination is reached   
Example: The arrival of the deliveries was delayed because of traffic.
  
3. punch in (v. phrase) [puhnch-in] – to enter data into a computer by striking on some keys
Example: Do not forget to punch in the time you arrived at the office.

4. deposit (v.) [dih-poz-it] – to set down or put in a place, especially for safekeeping   
Example: The government deposited the antique treasure in a heavily secured room so it will not be stolen.  

5. competitor (n.) [kuhm-pet-i-ter] – a rival or an opponent (a person, team, or company)   
Example: The CEO gladly announced that the company has greatly surpassed the performance of many of its competitors. 


Article
Read the text below.


Amazon, an online retail service, is reportedly testing the use of lockers in 7-Eleven convenience stores to assure that deliveries safely reach the customers.

According to The Daily, an iPad news source, after customers order items from Amazon, they can select a preferred 7-Eleven outlet where they can pick up orders upon arrival. To access a locker, a bar code will be e-mailed to the customer. Machines in the locker will then scan this code to produce a PIN, which the customers will have to punch in to open the locker.

John Cook of GeekWire, an independent technology news site, even posted a picture of a set of lockers at a 7-Eleven store in Seattle. Cook writes that an employee told him how these lockers will be activated soon to test Amazon's new system.

This new scheme by Amazon provides a safer place to deposit the deliveries instead of leaving them on the customers' doorsteps where they could get stolen. This also puts Amazon at par with Best Buy, its competitor, which also sends online orders to local stores for pick up.

However, both Amazon and 7-Eleven currently have no comment about the story.



Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         What do you think about Amazon's new delivery system?
·         What would you prefer, having your purchased items delivered to your house or picking them up from a convenient store? Explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?
·         How can online stores provide good service to their clients?

October 17, 2011