Online book superstore Amazon may be about to open up to 400 physical bookstores, according to an executive of a major US mall operator.

The online retailer giant began a physical extension of its books division when it opened its first, and currently only, bricks-and-mortar store in its home city of Seattle, Washington.  

The bookstore expansion is yet to be confirmed by Amazon, however chief executive of US Mall operator General Growth Properties Sandeep Mathroni says the retailer’s goal is to open 300-400 bookstores. His comments did not specify whether Amazon’s plans were worldwide or limited to the US.

[Related: Physical book boom]

An Amazon spokeswoman says the business declines to comment on ‘rumours and speculation’. The resulting impact of a global bookstore launch could rival US bookstore giant Barnes and Noble, and Aussie outfit Dymocks.

Amazon began its reign as a major global bookseller 20 years ago, and has since made its mark on the publishing industry after releasing the e-reader Amazon Kindle.

It is credited with the demise of some major book chains as well as hundreds if not thousands of independents, with its supercheap books delivered to the door.

Mathroni has since issued a later statement, saying he did not intend to ‘represent Amazon’s plans’.

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