Amazon considering opening 3,000 ‘Go’ stores in US | Progresiv

Amazon is reportedly studying plans to open up to 3,000 new outlets under its ‘Go’ banner by 2021, in a move that could significantly shake up the US retail market.

According to a report by Bloomberg News, which cited unnamed sources close to the matter, Amazon plans to have 10 of the cashierless stores operationa by end-2018 and 50 stores operational by end-2019, after which it plans to aggressively ramp up expansion.

The sources said CEO Jeff Bezos is still experimenting with the format, as he looks to position the concept as a means to eliminate the meal-time jams caused at regular retail stores and quick service restaurants. Amazon is also said to be focusing on dense urban areas populated by heavily by young, busy, affluent residents who are willing to spend a little more for better quality food.

The sources noted that such an aggressive expansion plan would be costly for Amazon – the original Go store in Seattle is said to have required more than $1m in hardware alone.  However, the sources added that costs could be reduced by offering more prepared food-to-go (which would require fewer cameras and sensors), opening more outlets close to each other, and centralising food production.

Amazon has not commented on the Bloomberg report. (www.kamcity.com)