I wonder if there's an opportunity here for comparison shopping showcase stores. They carry no inventory, only samples that you can get your hands on. Scan to find the best price, and tap to add to your cart from the site and seller with that price. Gets delivered. You'd make money via a membership fee, referral sales, and a tiny bit from direct sale of the display items once it's time to swap them out.
The up front cost and rapid turnover of supplier inventory would probably make this a no-go. Not to mention that there are so many /things/ available, even a costco-sized warehouse packed for maximum number of display items would require extreme selectivity (and associated costs for research, etc)
I imagine there is opportunity, but it's gonna be for a big company like Amazon, and essentially be a modern Sears. A place where you can go in and buy now, get it if it's there otherwise it's delivered.
The up front cost and rapid turnover of supplier inventory would probably make this a no-go. Not to mention that there are so many /things/ available, even a costco-sized warehouse packed for maximum number of display items would require extreme selectivity (and associated costs for research, etc)