Online retail giant Amazon is planning to launch checkout-free grocery stores in Chicago and San Francisco.
The launch of Chicago and San Francisco store will be an expansion of the Amazon Go store pilot in Seattle, which opened in January.
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It is not been disclosed when the new Amazon Go stores would open in these two cities, however, Amazon has posted job listings for the store managers for both Chicago and San Francisco stores last month.
Amazon Go store make use of cameras and sensors to track customers and inventory. Customers are required to open the Amazon Go app when entering the store, any products removed from the shelf by the customers are automatically charged to customers account after exiting the store.
While the stores have no cashiers, there are several employees around the shop who restock shelves and help customers.
Besides providing food products online, the retailer operates Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service and Whole Foods, which was acquired last June for $13.7bn.
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By GlobalDataAmazon is also planning to expand its presence in Ohio with the addition of sixth fulfilment centre.
Located in West Jefferson, the new fulfilment centre is expected to create more than 1,500 full-time positions by the end of next year.
The retailer will use the 855,000ft2 facility pick, pack and ship customer orders placed for items, such as electronics, books, housewares and toys.
Amazon North America customer fulfilment vice-president Mark Stewart said: “We are excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in West Jefferson and to continue innovating in Ohio, a state committed to providing great opportunities for jobs and customer experience.
“Amazon is committed to providing great opportunities for employment and creating a positive economic impact for the region.
“Our growth in Ohio is the result of an outstanding workforce and incredible customers and we are proud to be adding 1,500 new jobs to the more than 6,000 Amazonians already working in the state.”
The retailer also plans to begin operations at its previously announced fulfilment centres in North Randall and Monroe by the end of this year and in Euclid during next year.
Amazon currently operates two recently opened fulfilment centres in Etna and Obetz, Ohio.
Since 2011, it has invested over $2bn in customer fulfilment infrastructure and employee compensations, as well as created more than 6,000 full-time jobs in Ohio.
The company has noted that these investments have created an additional 9,000 indirect jobs in the state.
