> Amazon is basically destroying the shopping high streets.

A lot of people that I know would strongly prefer to go to some brick and mortar shop. The problem is: most of items that I buy on the internet (e.g. on Amazon) are simply not easily available in a shop in my town (and I am not living in a small town).

For example:

- lots of obscure scientific books that are written in German or even English (I live in Germany)

- similarly: lots of rather niche belletristic books (think into the direction: some obscure novel recommendation on HN) often in various foreign languages

N.B. It is true that an important reason why Amazon became big among early computer enthusiasts in Germany in the 90s is that it was one of the few ways for easily getting computer science textbooks delivered from the USA - though with long delivery times.

- 3D printing supplies (why doesn't there exist a brick an mortar store for this?)

- very niche indie games (they are by now basically all sold on Steam, GOG, Epic Store or itch.io)

- very specific parts for Maker projects

- ...

So, the situation is not that people necessarily want to buy on the internet or specifically Amazon, but rather that there exists barely any way to get what they want in a brick and mortar store in even large cities.

>The problem is: most of items that I buy on the internet (e.g. on Amazon) are simply not easily available in a shop in my town (and I am not living in a small town).

Because it is not cheap or available if its not made in China.