Poway, CA (KGTV) — San Diego County’s first Amazon Fresh grocery store location has been under development for years. But while the store appeared ready to open in the spring, the doors remained closed, leaving Poway area residents perplexed.
Ray Kano said, “I’m dying of curiosity.
“Very disappointed,” said Alexis Vu.
The sign was installed in April and included designated parking and cart enclosures for contactless grocery pickup. But everyone ABC 10News spoke to was excited to try out her concept, a high-tech product that uses an Amazon app-connected scanner to track the contents of a customer’s shopping cart and automatically generate an invoice. I said yes. I said I’m tired of waiting and wondering when the store will open.
“What the hell? We have something we want to use, but it’s useless. We can’t do anything about it,” says Ashley Yuhas.
When contacted by ABC 10News, Amazon declined to answer questions and did not confirm if or when it would open.
San Diego State University professor Milo Kopic, an expert in the grocery industry, said the Poway store was one of several stores nationwide that Amazon built without ever opening, jokingly dubbing it a “zombie store.” He speculates that Amazon is currently pausing the expansion of its grocery business, taking into account several factors. This includes predicting a possible recession in 2023, but it also has the advantage of waiting until the economy recovers before opening.
Copic also says Amazon is struggling with its global real estate footprint, which includes its grocery sector. The company may be adjusting its business model and technology before opening new stores.
“It’s frustrating for the community. It’s frustrating for consumers. They’re excited to try this new shopping experience. But it’s the most negative option they have.” No,” Copic said.
Copic says it’s cheaper to continue paying rent and utilities in the short term than buying leases on properties and paying employees severance pay if it’s waiting for the timing or decision to open. says. That could be viable indefinitely, but Copic expects the company to continue expanding and opening new locations, or cut its losses at some point in the relatively near future, probably in the first six months. This indicates that you would like to make a final decision about whether 2023.
