Amazon Introduces Amazon Grocery, Its Latest Grocery Concept

Amazon has launched its latest grocery concept, Amazon Grocery, in Chicago’s upscale Near North Side neighborhood. The new 3,800-square-foot store is located on the ground floor of the One Chicago Building, directly below a Whole Foods Market, and offers a selection of 3,500 products, including name-brand groceries, grab-and-go meals, coffee, and prepared foods like sandwiches and sushi.

Amazon Grocery aims to cater to Whole Foods shoppers looking for quick trips, stocking a range of conventional products like Coca-Cola, Fritos, and Folgers coffee. It features six aisles of groceries, along with electronic shelf labels, four self-checkout lanes, and a kiosk where Amazon Prime members can scan their palms for payment via Amazon One.

The store’s opening is part of Amazon’s ongoing effort to reset its grocery strategy. The company has been expanding Amazon Fresh stores, while Whole Foods recently debuted its smaller-format Daily Shop in New York City. Additionally, Amazon is experimenting with blending its grocery divisions, with plans to feature Whole Foods products at Amazon Fresh fulfillment centers and building its first automated micro-fulfillment center to integrate offerings from Amazon , Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods.

Despite the proximity of Amazon Grocery to Whole Foods in the same building, the two stores operate separately, with different pricing for some items. For example, a Tropicana orange juice bottle costs $3.99 at Amazon Grocery compared to $4.49 upstairs at Whole Foods. This reflects Amazon’s broader effort to offer a diverse shopping experience for a wide range of customer preferences.