Amazon Fresh Readies to Open Chicagoland Stores

With four Amazon Fresh grocery stores under construction in the Chicago area, the Seattle-based e-tailer is now hiring approximately 1,500 full- and part-time positions, including managerial roles, for its new stores opening in Naperville, Bloomingdale, Oak Lawn and Schaumburg.

While Amazon did not share opening dates for the stores, according to Planned Grocery, the 43,000-square-foot Schaumburg store is slated for a November 2020 opening, and the 34,361-square-foot Naperville store is set to open in Q4 2020.

“Our associates are the heart and soul of our Amazon Fresh stores, and we’re excited to welcome 1,500 employees to the team as we provide customers with new, low-priced grocery stores in their communities,” said Catherine Misko, regional manager of Amazon Fresh grocery stores, in a release. “These are great jobs with industry-leading pay and benefits, and we’re proud to provide a safe, innovative work environment where associates can grow their careers.” 

New Amazon Fresh employees will join more than 23,000 full- and part-time Amazon employees already working in Illinois, says the company, whose jobs pay at least $15 per hour and include a benefits packages starting on day one. The opportunity to cross-train across the entire store is another perk of a job with Amazon Fresh, adds the retailer.

Amazon describes the supermarket banner, the first location of which opened in Woodland Hills, Calif. last month, as “a new grocery store that offers a seamless grocery shopping experience whether customers are shopping in-store or online.” An emphasis on low prices, convenience and prepared food offerings made in-store every day are also integral to the brand. 

“We are delighted to welcome one of the first Amazon Fresh grocery stores to Naperville and thrilled they’re supporting the community by bringing new jobs with good pay and benefits for our residents,” said Mayor Steve Chirico, in a statement. “We appreciate Amazon’s partnership and look forward to providing our residents with a new low-priced option for fresh groceries.”

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $8 billion across Illinois, including 28 Whole Foods Market locations and seven Amazon Go store locations, along with compensation for its more than 23,000 employees, says the company.