Final answer:
Amazon used to be solely an e-commerce platform but now has physical stores in various states, making it a click-and-mortar company. This combination allows Amazon to utilize the strengths of both online and offline retail.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question Amazon.com is an example of a click-and-mortar company asks whether Amazon fits the business model of combining online and offline operations. Initially, Amazon was purely an e-commerce entity that did not have physical retail stores. It sold books and other products solely online with direct shipping to consumers. However, as indicated in the provided text, Amazon has since opened physical retail locations in various states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, with plans for more in states such as Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Therefore, given Amazon's adoption of physical retail stores in addition to its significant online presence, it can be considered a click-and-mortar company. This represents a shift from an exclusively online retailer to a hybrid model that leverages the benefits of both online and physical retail spaces.