What: Amazon proposes to distant customers ultra-local store tours and experiences via local “hosts” equipped with cameras, able to buy products on behalf of the customer.

Why it is important: Take it in the other way: could Department Stores propose to distant customers such services, including of course their stores but also visits of the city where they are located?

Amazon has launched Amazon Explore, a new service for now only available to US customers, which allows them to engage in virtual travel experiences and shop local products during those visits.

The system is quite simple: a local “host” walks the streets or stores, equipped with a camera, and the shopper is able to guide him and ask the host to buy such and such product. Amazon then takes care of the shipment.

Service is charged by the minute, or total duration. For instance, a 40-mn session in Missisippi is priced at USD 10, while a 75-mn session in Kyoto is priced at USD 90.

Amazon launches shoppable virtual travel experiences