Amazon Fresh Continues its Fast Growth, Opening a New Washington Store

Fast-growing Amazon Fresh on Thursday opened yet another grocery store, this one in Federal Way, Washington.

The new store, the retailer's 41st,  joins other Washington Amazon Fresh locations, including Bellevue and Seattle (Jackson Street, AVA Capitol Hill and Aurora).

The retail giant's grocery chain, which opened its first brick-and-mortar store almost exactly two years ago, continues to expand across the country, with markets in Washington, Washington, D.C., California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Within the past few weeks, Amazon Fresh has opened two California locations. Last week, Amazon Fresh’s 40th store debuted in The Promenade at Westlake in California.

Last month, New York and New Jersey welcomed their first Amazon Fresh stores, and there are three more stores expected to open soon in New Jersey in Eatontown, Lodi and Woodland Park. Also, an Amazon Fresh store is set to open in Tinley Park, Illinois, though an opening date has not been confirmed.

The new, approximately 38,000-square-foot Federal Way location will offer Just Walk Out Shopping technology, the chain's signature feature. It allows customers to shop and pay with Amazon’s app without the need to use traditional checkout lines. Customers will also find national brands, produce, meat, seafood and prepared foods.

"Amazon may be an international company, but it has not lost touch with its regional roots. I’m excited that Amazon Fresh is opening their newest grocery store in Federal Way, which will create high-quality jobs in the Federal Way downtown area," said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer in a statement. "The long-term career opportunities offered by Amazon, including comprehensive benefits and help with college tuition, will greatly benefit workers in South King County who take advantage of this significant investment in our community." 

Local brands such as Woodinville Whiskey spirits, Raven’s Brew Coffee and Essential Baking Company will be available; as well as 365 by Whole Foods Market organics, and Amazon-exclusive brands like Aplenty, Cursive and Fresh (including Fresh plant-based products).

To celebrate the Federal Way store’s grand opening, Amazon Fresh will be hosting festivities for the weekend. There will be giveaways, discounts, free samples of Aplenty snacks, Amazon Kitchen smoothies, almond milk, Califia Cold Brew, Allegro coffee and whiskey from Washington-based Woodinville Whiskey.

Amazon Fresh will also be supporting the local community by creating hundreds of jobs, donating surplus food to local food banks, and donating $10,000 each to two nearby Boys & Girls Club locations, Positive Place and the Ron Sandwith Teen Center. The Federal Way Amazon Fresh store is still hiring, and employment opportunities can be found on the company’s website.