In what may be the first arrangement of its kind, Amazon is opening a staffed pickup location at a university inside the university's bookstore.
The company said yesterday that Amazon@Illinois, a 2,200-square-foot space, will open this fall in the Illini Union Bookstore on the campus at Urbana-Champaign. At the center, students will be able to pick up and return Amazon orders.
"We are excited to partner with Amazon and add this level of service for students, faculty, and staff on campus," said Renée Romano, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at Illinois. "The Illini Union Bookstore location is perfect to offer convenience and security in the heart of campus."
With roots going back to the 1920s, the Illini Union Bookstore describes itself as "one of the largest independent college bookstores in the country."