Amazon is taking on the supermarket the e-commerce way with new grocery store concept

Vaughn Highfield July 27, 2015

Amazon is the e-commerce giant of the world. It revolutionised shopping, essentially building the demand for more online marketplaces, and now it’s looking to turn bricks-and-mortar supermarkets on their head once more with concepts for physical outlets with a difference.

Amazon is taking on the supermarket the e-commerce way with new grocery store concept

Amazon could be building a “drive-up” grocery store in Sunnyvale, California, according to information obtained by Silicon Valley Business Journal. Don’t expect to browse aisles here though as the “drive-up” concept store requires customers to order online first, scheduling a pickup from their nearest store.

The Sunnyvale store is set to be an 11,600ft² building, making it around the size of the average Tesco Metro. However Amazon, along with the Sunnyvale council, isn’t commenting on the project or who’s behind the land purchase.

The concept store makes a lot of sense for Amazon. For one, it’s a great way to bolster its AmazonFresh incentive, allowing customers to avoid delivery costs and restraints and also check the food they’ve purchased. It also allows it to expand its Prime Now delivery service with multiple smaller distribution centres located across cities, and helps reduce its reliance on other businesses for its Amazon Locker scheme.

Just don’t expect to see any Amazon supermarkets in the UK anytime soon. Currently only one site is set for Sunnyvale, with more potentially on the way if the system works out. We won’t be seeing it on our shores in the next few years.