New Amazon Go store pops up in Washington State, despite Amazon’s pause on grocery expansion

Despite Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy declaring a pause on the expansion of the Amazon Fresh grocery concept in February, a new Amazon Go store (the company’s convenience concept) has opened near Puyallup, Wash., reports The News Tribune.

The ribbon was cut officially on Sept. 26 and the store offers Just Walk Out shopping technology, the company’s frictionless payment option..

This is the third Amazon Go in the Seattle area. However, three stores in the city have closed over the last few months. 

The 3,800-square-foot store offers grab-and-go food, beverages, beer, and wine. Shoppers can also take advantage of a made-to-order kitchen that serves breakfast, sandwiches, burritos, and wraps. Specialty beverages include Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and ICEE.

The store also features products from local Washington State businesses, including Alki Bakery, Macrina Bakery, Molly’s, Reuben’s Brews, Georgetown Brewing, Stoup Brewing, Charles Smith, and Gilbert Cellars.

Amazon’s latest grocery strategy is beginning to emerge, despite the stall on the Amazon Fresh front. 

The delivery giant is now offering fresh food delivery not only to Prime members, but to non-members as well, in addition to remodeling and reimaging some of its existing stores. Two newly redesigned Amazon Fresh stores in the Chicagoland area feature a new layout with new brands, a focus on prepared meals, and the option of using Dash Carts — Amazon’s smart shopping cart that informs shoppers about real-time deals and allows them to check out directly from the cart.

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Still, there continues to be hardship. Amazon eliminated hundreds of Fresh jobs in July and many planned Amazon Fresh store locations remain vacant, which has led to issues with landowners. Eight Amazon Go stores were closed back in March.

Currently, Amazon has 45 Fresh stores in eight states and Washington, D.C.