TAMPA, Fla. — We have seen sites and apps like Shipt and Instacart take off since the coronavirus pandemic hit. People opting to scroll for their groceries rather than stroll into the store. But those delivery services now have some competition from Amazon, which rolled out its first online-only grocery store this week -- dubbed as "dark stores."
Amazon says online grocery sales have tripled, thus prompting their newest permanent online-only Whole Foods Market store to open in Brooklyn, New York. It's purpose -- to fulfill all those orders. The stores look more like warehouses, where employees can fill orders. It's not open to the public, but Whole Foods says it is creating jobs.
A Whole Foods spokesperson said, "We have hired hundreds of Whole Foods Market Team Members and other applicants throughout the NYC area, who will be dedicated to preparing orders for grocery delivery, enabling us to reach more customers than ever before.”
With demand causing it to be one of the fastest-growing businesses within Amazon, it's likely we'll start to see more of these stores pop up around the country. We asked if any will be opening in Florida and the company said it'll follow where the demand is.
So, is this the future of how we will grocery shop? Not quite. Amazon is also rolling out another shopping experience called "Amazon Fresh" in Los Angeles where you can scan and check out your items all through your grocery cart. Instead of needing to ask an employee a question, Amazon Alexa's will also be set up throughout the store for you to ask questions.
The company says depending on the success of either store will determine which format becomes more mainstream.
Whole Foods Market says it'll likely be both that succeed moving forward, writing: "Grocery delivery is one of the fastest growing businesses at Amazon, and customers tell us they love free, two-hour grocery delivery from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market."
There will not be a pickup option for shoppers at Amazon's new online-only grocery stores. Orders will be delivered via Amazon delivery drivers.