Amazon has confirmed that it will launch its “first grocery store” in California in 2020 as it continues to push into the physical retail space.
Set to be separate from its Amazon Go, Amazon 4 Star and Whole Foods stores, the retailer confirmed to CNET today that it will be “opening a grocery store in Woodland Hills in 2020”.
Last month the Wall Street Journal published a story revealing that Amazon was seeking store space in the Los Angeles area to host a new grocery format.
On Monday this was confirmed publicly for the first time after Amazon posted four job adverts for numerous roles including a “grocery associate” and “food service associate”, in what it described as its “first grocery store”.
READ MORE: Amazon to launch new concept grocery stores in the US
Though its not yet clear exactly what format the new store will take, it is understood to be located in the 35,000sq ft former Toys R Us location in Woodland Hills, and will not use its hi-tech Amazon Go technology.
“When it comes to grocery shopping, we know customers love choice, and this new store offers another grocery option that’s distinct from Whole Foods Market, which continues to grow and remain the leader in quality natural and organic food,” a spokesperson told CNET.
It’s also not apparent if there are any plans to roll the format out beyond the initial store, but Amazon’s increasing focus on improving its grocery offering to compete with its key rival Walmart suggests it be expanded.
Walmart is the US’ largest grocer and despite its numerous grocery channels, including Whole Foods, Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, the ecommerce giant still represents a relatively small portion of the market.
Having disrupted countless other markets, Amazon seemingly has its sights set on becoming a major grocery player, and stopped charging its Prime subscribers extra to use its Amazon Fresh service, which delivers grocery items within a day, last month.
Click here to sign up to Charged‘s free daily email newsletter
