Amazon urges customers to pick up packages at brick-and-mortar locations for ‘spoiler free’ holiday

Amazon is urging its customers to pick up their packages at brick-and-mortar locations to keep the holidays “spoiler free” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The online retail giant in a press release on Monday advocated for customers to send their packages “to an alternative location to keep gifts a secret from those at-home” this holiday season. 

“Whether customers’ plans have changed or not, Amazon still wants to keep this holiday season special and help make sure those gifting moments stay ‘spoiler free’ by offering options for customers to keep gifts a surprise, as well as track and receive Amazon orders,” the release said.

The alternative locations span across more than 900 cities and towns in the U.S., the company said. Consumers can look for gifts and holiday deals when picking up packages if they choose an Amazon 4-star or Amazon Books location for delivery. 

Customers then have between three and 15 days to pick up their orders, depending on the location. 

Amazon also promoted its other “spoiler free” methods to track and pick up packages or have them delivered, including map tracking, share tracking and “Key In-Garage Delivery” for Prime members with a myQ smart garage door opener. 

The company said Alexa will hide the names of purchased items that could be gifts if customers ask about their orders or check their delivery notifications. Consumers also are able to label their purchases as gifts during checkout or can adjust Alexa app settings to hide all product names.

“This year many customers and their families are opting to stay home so the challenge of keeping those special gifts under wraps from family, friends or loved ones is going to be greater than ever,” John Felton, the vice president of Amazon Global Delivery Services, said in the release. 

“We’re helping customers keep their orders a surprise this year and have a number of ways we’re providing them more flexibility, control and convenience over their deliveries,” he added.