Amazon Kindle reaches Best Buy in fall

Amazon landed a major retail deal today that will let it sell the third-generation Kindle at Best Buy stores sometime in the fall. Both the Wi-Fi only and 3G versions will arrive at the same $139 and $189 prices as on Amazon's own pages. The costlier and larger DX isn't part of the plans.

The agreement follows a recent expansion into Staples and the deal earlier this year for Target.

Expansion to Best Buy heats up the e-reader battle as, for the first time, Amazon will have to compete against Apple, Barnes & Noble and Sony in the same physical retail space. The Kindle still has the largest share of active e-book readers, but the inability to try the device at most stores may have dampened its chances as the iPad, Nook and Sony Reader have all had some form of retail presence for months. Amazon may not need retail sales after having sold out quickly online, but it could accelerate its performance with the new move.

The big-box retailer may also benefit by becoming a hub for e-readers that isn't possible elsewhere. Apple has its own stores and some third-party Apple resellers, but Barnes & Noble and Sony have been limited to their own stores when not selling through Best Buy.

By Electronista Staff

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