Report: Amazon plans to open dozens of grocery stores

by Zosha Millman, SeattlePI

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Amazon plans to open dozens of grocery stores in the United States.

Citing unnamed sources, WSJ says that Amazon is in talks to expand its food footprint beyond the Whole Foods market chain, acquired in 2017. The new chain, which will have a distinct brand from Whole Foods, is considering by the end of 2019.

The Internet channel is also in talks to open sites in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, according to the newspaper.

The magazine's report also states that Amazon could strengthen its physical grocery brand by buying regional grocery stores.

WSJ sources have not confirmed if Amazon would use its Amazon Go smart technology to operate the stores, although it was previously reported that the company was planning to test up to 3,000 stores using this technology.

The new Amazon grocery store should also focus on customer service and offer a wider range of options than Whole Foods. In addition, the new grocery chain hopes to offer online shopping and delivery services; the company has been distributing food products since 2007, when Amazon Fresh was launched.