Store gallery: Amazon opens first supermarket in Los Angeles

The store, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, was described by Amazon as a “new grocery store designed from the ground up to offer a seamless shopping experience, whether customers are shopping in-store or online”.

Amazon Fresh, which for the time being is open to invited customers only, incorporates elements such as checkout-less options including a Dash Cart trolley, drive-thru collection and customer advice through Alexa devices.

The Dash Cart, which uses computer vision algorithms and sensors, allows customers to sign in using an app or QR code and their purchases automatically totted up. They can then pay and leave through a special lane without queuing.

Customers can access their Alexa shopping lists and Echo Show devices will answer questions such as “where can I find the hot sauce?”

The etailer is also offering Amazon.com package collection and a free, package-less product returns service.

Amazon said the store offers “a wide assortment of national brands and high-quality produce, meat, and seafood” and prepared foods freshly made daily in-store.

Brands will include 365 by Whole Foods Market, the US grocery chain owned by Amazon, big names such as Coca-Cola and local brands such as Rockenwagner Bakery.

Customers using Amazon’s Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card or Prime Store Card are eligible for 5% of their spend back at checkout.

The store includes measures to ensure safe shopping amid the Covid-19 outbreak, such as daily temperature checks for all employees and free disposable masks for customers. The shop will operate at 50% capacity.