Amazon.com Inc. is looking to open physical stores in Germany, Reuters reported Jan. 4, citing an interview by German-language newspaper Welt am Sonntag with Amazon's Germany head Ralf Kleber.

"The fact is that we know that customers shop offline and that they like variety," Kleber reportedly told the newspaper. Germany is the second-largest market for Amazon behind the U.S., Reuters reported.

Kleber also reportedly said Amazon wants to encourage shopping through its Alexa voice-controlled devices, adding that it is already selling its Echo Dot device at a cheaper price to promote widespread use.

Kleber declined to provide additional details or a timetable, the newswire said.

Amazon did not immediately respond to S&P Global Market Intelligence's request for comment.