Amazon preps new grocery store business

Amazon is planning to open dozens of grocery stores in a number of major US cities, The Wall Street Journal reports.

These would be distinct from its Whole Foods business. The e-commerce giant is eyeing a first one in Los Angeles as early as the end of the year, a person familiar with the matter told the WSJ. The report states that Amazon plans to heavily invest in customer service and pick-up capabilities to compete with the likes of Walmart.

Amazon launched its first small format, cashierless food outlet, Amazon Go, in 2016. And it has now bagged central London retail space for the venture, in what would be its first expansion outside the US, according to The Grocer.

Also of interest: Go south: Amazon Go UK launch speculation mounts

The publication did not say how many sites had been secured. Amazon, which has so far opened 10 Amazon Go stores Stateside, declined to comment on the report. 

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