Illinois is Site of Amazon’s ‘Next Experiment’ in Grocery Shopping

An exciting new addition to Illinois' grocery scene has opened from Amazon and it promises to be their "latest experiment in convenient, in-person grocery shopping."

A Grocery Store Tailored for Quick, On-the-Go Shopping

A 3,800-square-foot small-format grocery store is going to be a new favorite for those looking to make quick trips for essentials, coffee, or grab-and-go meals.

According to the story from Supermarket News, Amazon Grocery has opened its first location within the high-rise One Chicago Building on the near North Side of the Windy City.

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Located at 3 W. Chicago Avenue, Amazon Grocery caters to the busy Chicagoan with six aisles of packaged goods, a cold drinks section, and ready-made meals like sandwiches and sushi, the store offers a streamlined experience in an upscale neighborhood.

Amazon’s decision to open this smaller format space aims to capture Whole Foods shoppers in the area who may need national brand items, snacks, or household staples outside of typical organic and natural offerings.

Affordable Options with Competitive Pricing

According to Amazon, the new store offers 3,500 products, including popular name brands like Coca-Cola, Fritos, and Folgers coffee, items not typically found at Whole Foods.

One big difference you'll immediately notice at Amazon Grocery from the Whole Foods location upstairs in the One Chicago Building is its pricing.

For example, shoppers will find a 45-ounce bottle of Tropicana orange juice priced at $3.99 at Amazon Grocery, whereas the same item sells for $4.49 at Whole Foods, according to Supermarket News.

Innovative Checkout and Payment Options

True to Amazon’s tech-forward approach, Amazon Grocery is equipped with four self-checkout lanes, electronic shelf labels, and a kiosk for making Amazon.com returns.

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For Amazon Prime members, the store introduces a seamless checkout experience with a palm-scanning kiosk called Amazon One. This feature allows Prime members to pay simply by scanning their palm, making the checkout process even more convenient.

A Complementary Grocery Experience

Amazon Grocery and Whole Foods Market remain separate entities at this North Side location, yet they share a strategic link. Shoppers can complete a quick purchase at Amazon Grocery before heading upstairs to Whole Foods for organic and specialty products.

In a recent development, Amazon announced that it would begin integrating products from Whole Foods at Amazon Fresh fulfillment centers, starting with 26 stores, to enhance online shopping options, according to the story in Supermarket News.