Amazon is currently an online retailer, a book publisher, a pharmacy, a grocery delivery service, an urgent care, a car dealership … at this point, we’re half expecting them to open an Amazon store in outer space. Before it gets there, though, its latest endeavor is a big-box store concept that takes cues from Walmart — the other colossal retailer.
What Is Amazon’s New Store Concept?
Amazon plans to bring a nearly 225,000-square-foot retail store to life in Orland Park (near Chicago), according to local planning documents. The store, similar to a Walmart Supercenter, would sell a wide range of general merchandise, household essentials, and fresh groceries.
The rendering of the store plans (which were approved by Orland Park’s Planning Commission but still need approval from the village’s board) shows a large store, reminiscent of a department store, with branding similar to Amazon Fresh (wrought iron, wood siding, and lime green accents).
How Is This Different From Other Brick-and-Mortar Amazon Stores?
Amazon calls the big-box store the “first of its kind,” because unlike its other retail locations, this one is on a much larger scale. For its part, the company hasn’t been wildly successful with its retail locations, which included apparel stores, bookstores, and 4-star (which only sold items with 4-star ratings or higher). In 2022, Amazon closed all of its Books, 4-Star, and Pop Up physical stores.
The new concept is most similar to Amazon Fresh (the grocery iteration). Different from Amazon Fresh, though, this new brick-and-mortar plans to offer a blend of groceries and general merchandise, serving as a one-stop shop for customers.
What Are Shoppers Saying?
In the comments section of a YouTube video reporting on the concept store, users started poking holes in Amazon’s plot.
One commenter wrote, “The only thing I wonder is if Amazon [is] ready for all the shoplifting that goes on in a lot of these stores in major cities. They don’t experience any theft loss online unless the employees are stealing, but I can’t believe that the employees steal as much as customers do in some areas.”
The sentiment that’s widely shared among the public, though, is that Amazon is always trying to do more and more. “Doesn’t it have enough?” read one comment.
No, dear YouTube user. Not until it’s selling groceries on the moon.
More From Cheapism
- Amazon Is Actually Paying Customers for Once: Company Refunding Millions After FTC Settlement — Some refunds already went out automatically, but many people will need to take action to get paid.
- Bath & Body Works Will Sell Products on Amazon in 2026 – Here are all the details on how to get your Warm Vanilla Sugar lotion on Amazon.
- Well, This Could be Dangerous: Amazon Tests Delivery in 30 Minutes or Less — Amazon is testing delivery of groceries and household essentials in 30 minutes or less with a new service called Amazon Now.
