Amazon opening new chain of grocery stores, WSJ reports

Amazon plans to open a brand of grocery stores in the U.S. separate from its Whole Foods banner, according to a story in The Wall Street Journal.

The first store is scheduled to open in Los Angeles later this year, with additional locations planned for shopping centres in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, according to the article, which cites a source close to the deal. It is also exploring the idea of purchasing regional grocery stores.

Amazon declined to comment on the Journal report.

The online giant moved into brick-and-mortar grocery with its US$13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017. It has since moved into the cashier-less convenience space with the launch of Amazon Go in cities across the U.S.