Amazon's Private Label Goods Continue

The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is quickly and quietly moving into the private label arena. Reporter Geoffrey A. Fowler says that the latest sign: The Seattle-based e-commerce giant, last month received a U.S. design patent for a wooden chopping block. Also, in June Amazon launched a new collection of private-label kitchen utensils, designed by Seattle Chef Tom Douglas and sold under his name.

Amazon won't disclose any other patent applications, but says it is always evaluating opportunities to patent the designs it develops for private-label products.

As Amazon expands from a book seller to a certifiable retailer, what other private label avenues do you think they have in the works?

Alice.com Offers CPGs Direct to Customers

Just launched in beta, Alice.com offers free shipping and built in coupons for customers to purchase household goods. The makers of Alice are banking on the idea that the CPG market is relatively untapped online--although mega retailer Amazon.com, offers many of the goods. According to a report on AuctionBytes.com, "Alice.com CEO and co-founder Brian Wiegand said, "The vast majority of consumers don't buy their household essentials online, and we set out to change that at Alice by taking a completely fresh approach to the CPG industry. By eliminating the traditional retail layer, we allowed the companies that produce these goods to connect directly with the people who use them. The result is a neutral platform for CPG manufacturers to work together as an industry and channel their resources in exciting new ways for the consumer."

AuctionBytes.com continues, "consumers create an account on Alice.com and select and save all of their favorite products, ordering only the items they need. Alice.com keeps track of items and reminds users when they are running low. Each shipment is bundled together in a single "Alice" box and delivered directly to the consumer."

Will the ability for consumers to buy their household products online interfere with the local grocery chain? If the popularity gains intensity, will we see more coupons and special offers to grocery shoppers? We'd like to hear what you have to say about Alice.com and the CPG online market.

Alice.com Bypasses Retailers on New Consumer-Goods Shopping Platform

Amazon Selling Private Label Goods

The online behemoth, Amazon has entered the private label arena with new home offerings made by Pinzon products and Strathwood products. Seeking to rival their "offline" competition of Wal-Mart and Target, Amazon is rumored to do even more within the home goods space--grocery delivery, anyone?

(Look out FreshDirect)

Because of Amazon's sheer size, it seems that the giant could dip its hands into any category of products and shoppers and discover a huge profit.

According to AuctionBytes.com, "Amazon.com launched Strathwood, an Amazon private label brand, in April 2004 with Outdoor Patio Furniture, Décor and Lighting categories. It launched Pinzon by Amazon.com in October 2005 with Bedding and Utility, Bath Towels, Tabletop, Kitchen Utensils and Knives categories, and in 2008, it introduced Pinzon Indoor Furniture.