Amazon brings high-tech grocery concept home
Amazon is now hiring for its two new Amazon Fresh grocery stores that will open in King County, Washington.
The Seattle-based company plans to fill hundreds of full- and part-time positions, including managerial roles, at Amazon Fresh stores that will be located in Seattle and Bellevue. Amazon debuted the Amazon Fresh format in Woodland Hills, Calif., in August 2020. Since then, the retailer has opened Amazon Fresh stores in the California communities of Irvine, Northridge and North Hollywood; as well as in Naperville, Ill.
Amazon designed the Amazon Fresh format from the ground up to offer a seamless shopping experience, with extra perks for members of its Amazon Prime paid loyalty program. Although Amazon Fresh features traditional checkout counters, shoppers who prefer to skip the queue have the option of using the Amazon Dash Cart.
Initially introduced in July 2020, Amazon Dash Cart uses a combination of computer vision algorithms and sensor fusion to identify items customers put in the cart. Customers can place their bags in the cart, sign in using their Fresh QR code in the Amazon app, shop, and exit through the Dash Cart lane to automatically complete their payment.
In another omnichannel offering, customers can find items more quickly by using Amazon Alexa voice technology and Alexa shopping lists. When customers arrive in store, they can access their Alexa shopping list through the Amazon app or on the Amazon Dash Cart, enabling them to more quickly navigate aisles and check off items as they shop.
Throughout the store, there are Amazon Echo Show devices customers can use to ask for help via Alexa voice technology, such as by saying, "Alexa, where can I find the hot sauce?"
Amazon Fresh also offers direct same-day delivery and pickup services. Customers can pick up their orders by visiting the service counter or by pulling up to a dedicated pick-up parking spot. Same-day delivery is free for Prime members.
Furthermore, the store format offers Amazon.com package pick-up and free packageless product returns, as well as a wide assortment of national brands and produce, meat, and seafood, along with a range of prepared foods made fresh in store every day. Customers will earn 5% back at Amazon Fresh when they use their Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or Amazon Prime Store Card at checkout.
“We are proud to be bringing hundreds of good jobs with benefits to the Seattle area as we prepare to open the first Amazon Fresh grocery stores in our home state of Washington,” said Roetta Greene Elton, district manager of Amazon Fresh grocery stores. “We’re excited to provide customers with new, low-priced grocery stores in their neighborhoods and look forward to contributing positively to the community.”
Since 2010, Amazon says it has invested more than $98 billion across Washington state, including infrastructure (such as 11 Whole Foods Market locations and five Amazon Go store locations) and compensation for its more than 80,000 employees. According to Amazon, these investments have helped create more than 228,000 indirect jobs on top of its direct hires – from jobs in construction and logistics to professional services.