Amazon is setting down roots in U.S. college campuses, and today it is celebrating the grand opening of its first ever staffed location at one of those schools. Purdue is the site of Amazon’s first campus drop-off and pickup location operated by actual amazon employees, and it is in part a way for Amazon to expand its presence in the educational textbook market.
Here’s how AmazonPurdue works:
- Students, alumni, faculty and staff at Purdue can activate their benefits by visiting purdue.amazon.com–or joining Amazon Student–to personalize their Amazon shopping experience.
- Once activated, students will be able to easily identify books needed for class by looking for a ‘badge’ with Purdue’s logo and class information within Amazon search results and product pages. Student can also purchase any item available on Amazon, and items eligible for Free One-Day Pickup are marked with a “Prime Campus” badge.
- When purchasing items on Amazon, students will choose Amazon@Purdue as their shipping address at checkout.
- When their order arrives, they’ll receive an email or text notification.
- When they’re ready to pick up their order, the student will click on the link provided in the email or text. This link will generate a barcode.
- After arriving at Amazon@Purdue the student will scan the barcode and pick up their order at one of the self-service lockers or go to the pickup desk and an associate can assist them.
The opening of Amazon@Purdue marks the next phase of the collaboration announced by Purdue and Amazon last August, where Amazon will return a percentage of eligible sales to customers that have activated the Purdue experience to the university, including sales to faculty, staff, and alumni. Purdue will use the proceeds for its student affordability and accessibility initiatives.
A second location will open this spring in the Purdue Memorial Union building. Also this spring, all Purdue students will be eligible for Free One-Day Shipping on Purdue textbooks shipped to the West Lafayette campus area.
In addition to Purdue University, Amazon has similar arrangements with the University of California, Davis and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
