Amazon Prepares to Roll Out Its Newest Shopping Shortcut

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Image Not Available

Grocery shopping can be a drag. If you’re like me, you walk in a store with a list of 10 things you need, and you leave an hour later with eight things off your list, three items your kids snuck in the cart and six things you impulsively grabbed after perusing the aisles.

But Amazon could change how you grocery shop with drive-up grocery stores. According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the e-commerce giant plans to test the drive-up concept in Sunnyvale, Calif.

It would allow shoppers to select and order grocery items online, then schedule a pickup time at a dedicated facility.

“The project could signal a new distribution strategy for Amazon, the world’s biggest online retailer, while adding an additional threat to a grocery industry already in the throes of change,” the SVBJ said.

Real estate developers with Oppidan Investment Co. plan to construct an 11,600-square-foot grocery facility in Sunnyvale, with construction slated to begin in August, according to SiliconValley.com. Oppidan and city officials said they won’t confirm the identity of the tenant until construction begins.

Still, the SVBJ said real estate sources familiar with the project said Amazon is the likely tenant.

SiliconValley.com said the grocery facility will allow customers to pick up their items by vehicle, bicycle or foot.

This new concept is not only a convenience for consumers, it’s also an attempt by Amazon to get a firmer footing in the grocery market. The SVBJ said:

For Amazon, a standalone drive-up store would signal a new phase in the company’s evolving grocery ambitions. AmazonFresh, Amazon’s same- and next-day grocery delivery service, has been expanding into major metropolitan areas in recent years. A physical pickup spot could help solve the “last mile” problem of getting perishable goods to consumers by having consumers come to Amazon.

Are shoppers ready to give up inspecting their meat and produce for the time-saving convenience of drive-up groceries? That remains to be seen.

I would love the option to quickly purchase my grocery items online, then select a pick-up time that fits my busy schedule. That would be a lifesaver some days.

Does a drive-up grocery store appeal to you? Share your thoughts below or on our Facebook page.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.