Disappointing. I tried it two weeks ago. Electronic carts (?!) should scan code the item you are purchasing, it malfunctioned three times, and I had to find the correct staff to help. They also had difficulty scanning items. Stressful, not pleasant. Lots of staff for recent opening, as the store did not have many people, so easy to ask questions (and be directed to other people to fix) but I expect that to change/lessen as time passes.
Staff was helpful or tried very hard to be (they were the stars! and doubled the star rating up!) Verrry tall aisles, so not a bright/light feeling like in many grocery stores. People with regular carts and live checkout aisles had the easiest time, of course! Large selection of certain items. Prices were nothing to sing about, *Lidls much better, many on a par with dear departed Shoppers. Better selection of certain things, like soy sauce, than Lidl. Some were close to Whole Foods' pricing (which Amazon also owns.) The inexpensive fresh pizza slices were not worth the cost, no competition to Costco, disappointing. Assembling the pizza box was annoying. And it kept re-opening. (These were more do-it-yourself than at Whole Foods or other groceries.) I attempted to eat minutes after checkout, in my car; bland/oddly flavorless. I had bought pepperoni and a combo, and wound up not finishing/discarding. Frozen pizza which I have had in the past -pretty much any-is much much better.
I would go there in a pinch, for milk say if I had to, but sticking to regular groceries. Yes, some great prices ("loss leaders") like everywhere. Not full service convenience like the huge Giant near Trader Joe's.
Given the pricing of much not on sale, not sure what the point is of going more electronic. It IS a very large store, so you have a good chance of finding the canned/bottled food you want, and staples like milk and bread. For those though, Lidls and Aldi and Trader Joe's and Costco are the price and reasonable selection winners. Amazon has a variety of selections including "Happy Belly", their store brand. And a famously great supply chain (as demonstrated during some awful hurricanes.)
Checkout involves using the Amazon App, and scanning your code to pay. I have attempted to upload a partial screenshot. If the electronic carts work as intended, you can theoretically breeze in and out, without having to wait for long checkout, as items checked in as you select them, saving time, esp. on busy grocery days (say pre-snow craziness or rumored shortage insanity.) The execution needs much work. The concept also equates ultimately less employees as being better. If nothing malfunctions and you are in a hurry, it could be useful to breeze in and out. But in future, you may wind up in a line for a live person, waiting for help to fix issues with the equipment. With a regular cart, it proceeds almost as normal, other than needing the Amazon App linked to your payment card, no individual cash, credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay here!
You can also order online for pickup, which I have not tried. Instead of third-party shoppers, Amazon employees put together the order for you (like Giant, Food Lion, for ex.) Or you can (still) order delivery, which a number of stores have, through Instacart or their own services, like Safeway, LIDL, Giant, Food Lion, Costco. read more