Amazon 4-star is a retail store concept launched by Amazon in 2018. The stores feature products rated 4 stars and above, new and trending items, top sellers, Prime member favorites and Amazon Exclusives. As of 2023, there are over 30 Amazon 4-star locations across the United States.
If you‘re wondering what makes Amazon 4-star different from other Amazon retail formats, who can shop there, what you can buy, how items are chosen and more, this guide covers everything you need to know about Amazon 4-star stores in 2024.
What is Amazon 4-star?
Amazon 4-star is a chain of physical retail stores that carry a highly curated selection of products rated 4 stars and above on Amazon.com.
The stores aim to help customers discover top-rated products across electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books, games and more. All items in the stores are rated at least 4 stars by Amazon customers who have purchased them online.
In addition to top-rated products, Amazon 4-star showcases new and trending items that are popular on Amazon.com, top sellers from Amazon.com, Prime member favorites and Amazon Exclusives.
The product selection is frequently updated based on Amazon‘s data on ratings, pre-orders, sales, wish lists, reviews and customer interests. This ensures customers always find new, relevant and interesting products when they visit Amazon 4-star.
What is an Amazon 4-star store?
Amazon 4-star stores are physical retail locations that allow customers to discover and engage with top-rated, new and trending products from Amazon.com.
The stores have a clean, simple design that‘s easy to navigate. All products are prominently displayed with their star rating, number of reviews, Prime member pricing and more.
Customers can test drive electronics like the Echo Dot, Kindle and Fire TV Stick. Books have excerpts on display so you can preview before purchasing.
There are fun activities like building a LEGO set at in-store building tables. Prime members get special savings in-store, while non-members can sign up for a 30-day free Prime trial right in the store.
Overall, 4-star stores deliver a unique, personalized shopping experience that showcases the most popular and interesting finds from Amazon.
What products can you find at an Amazon 4-star store?
Amazon 4-star stores carry a wide range of products across categories like electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books and games. Here are some examples of what you can find:
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Electronics: Echo smart speakers, Fire tablets, Ring video doorbells, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, robot vacuums.
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Kitchen: Instant Pot pressure cookers, air fryers, coffee makers, cutlery sets, baking pans.
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Home: Vacuums, air purifiers, humidifiers, smart lightbulbs, bath towels, pillows, area rugs.
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Toys: LEGO sets, board games, puzzles, plush animals, action figures, remote control toys.
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Books: New releases, best-selling fiction, cookbooks, children‘s books, self-help.
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Games: Adult board games like Catan, card games like Exploding Kittens, family games like Jenga.
You‘ll also find Amazon devices like Kindle e-readers, Fire TV sticks and Echo smart speakers prominently featured since they are top-rated by customers.
The product selection strikes a balance between everyday essentials and fun, unique finds you wouldn‘t expect at Amazon. Each store carries over 2,000 items that are updated frequently.
Who can shop at an Amazon 4-star store?
Amazon 4-star stores are open to everyone – you do not need a Prime membership to shop. However, Prime members do get special perks and savings:
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Prime member pricing: Prime members pay the same low prices they would get on Amazon.com. Pricing is clearly displayed in-store.
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Prime exclusive deals: Special in-store deals just for Prime members on select items.
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Free 30-day Prime trial: Non-members can sign up for a free 30-day Prime trial right in the store to access member pricing.
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Prime Welcome Swag: New Prime members get a free tote bag filled with exclusive offers and coupons when signing up in-store.
So Prime membership is not required, but it does come with advantages on pricing and deals at Amazon 4-star locations. Anyone can browse and make purchases at their convenience.
What payment methods do Amazon 4-star stores accept?
Amazon 4-star stores accept the following payment methods:
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Amazon Pay: Using the Amazon app on your smartphone, scan to pay at checkout.
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Credit/Debit: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover cards accepted.
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Gift Cards: Redeem Amazon gift cards and e-gift cards for purchases.
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Amazon Cash: Add cash to your Amazon balance at stores like 7-Eleven, then scan your barcode to pay.
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Cash
Payment is easy and convenient with options like scanning your Amazon app to pay or using gift cards. And cash is always welcome for those who prefer to pay that way.
How does Amazon choose products for 4-star stores?
Amazon uses data from Amazon.com to carefully curate and select products for its 4-star stores. Some of the key criteria include:
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4+ star customer ratings: All products must have at least a 4-star rating from Amazon customers.
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Highly reviewed: Priority goes to products with a high number of customer reviews and ratings.
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Trending on Amazon.com: Hot sellers that are spiking in popularity on the site.
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New releases: Newly launched products that are buzzworthy.
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Pre-orders: Items with high pre-order demand based on Amazon data.
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Customer interests: Products that align with local customer wish lists and shopping behavior.
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Prime member favorites: Top products preferred by Prime subscribers.
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Amazon exclusives: Unique products found only on Amazon.
Leveraging its treasure trove of customer data and insights, Amazon handpicks the very best and most relevant products to feature in 4-star stores. The merchandise is constantly refreshed.
Where are Amazon 4-star stores located?
As of 2023, there are over 30 Amazon 4-star store locations in the United States. Stores can be found in the following states:
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California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Florida
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Illinois
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Louisiana
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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Missouri
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New Jersey
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New York
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Ohio
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
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Texas
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Utah
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Virginia
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Washington
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Wisconsin
Amazon continues to open new 4-star locations each year. Use the Amazon 4-star store locator to find a store near you.
The stores are located in high-traffic areas like malls, lifestyle centers and shopping plazas. They range from 1,600 – 3,500 square feet in size.
What can‘t you find at Amazon 4-star stores?
While Amazon 4-star stores carry thousands of top-rated products, there are some restrictions on what you won‘t find in-store:
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Fresh food/produce: Amazon 4-star does not carry fresh foods, produce, meat, dairy etc.
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Alcohol: Beer, wine and spirits are not sold.
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Mature products: Adult items, dietary supplements and firearms prohibited.
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Large appliances: Ovens, dishwashers, laundry machines and other large home appliances not sold.
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Furniture/mattresses: Due to size constraints, furniture and mattresses are not stocked.
For edible grocery items or furniture shopping, customers can visit Amazon Fresh and Amazon Furniture stores. But 4-star focuses exclusively on top consumer electronics, home, kitchen, books, toys and games.
Conclusion
Amazon 4-star stores offer a fun, convenient way to discover top-rated and trending products from Amazon.com. All products are highly rated by fellow customers, so you can confidently shop knowing items are crowd-favorites.
With over 30 locations across the U.S. and more opening annually, keep an eye out for an Amazon 4-star near you. Check the store locator and don‘t forget to enjoy Prime member perks like special pricing and deals when you visit.
Happy shopping!
