When I got my new Kindle, I started to realize how much Amazon has been lagging behind in its merchandising efforts.  When Amazon first came to market with its ability to recommend books based on past purchasing patterns and/or interests, that was a real step forward in online merchandising.

But think about it: while Amazon has broadened its scope on what it sells, have they moved to “Merchandising 2.0″or beyond?  In my view, they are no longer leading.

Just for starters, why can’t I…

View the “back of the book”?  I want to read the book description (better than the publisher’s version), see which authors/publications have written a blurb on the book recommending it, and read the author bio.

Be notified when an author I like is going to publish a new book?  Even on the Amazon site itself, one doesn’t have this feature.

See all the books that the magazines are touting as great reads for the month?  Real Simple had a summer book section in its June issue.  When I read it in May, nearly 3/4 of all their recommended new books weren’t available on Amazon.  This happens to me a lot.  If a magazine or publication is going to help sell books through recommendations, shouldn’t Amazon be savvy enough to take advantage of it?