Amazon's Grocery Store Expansion Sparks Lawsuits, Layoffs, and Challenges
Amazon's foray into brick-and-mortar grocery stores with Amazon Fresh has hit a roadblock, with the company facing lawsuits and operational challenges. The high-tech stores, which feature cashier-less checkout and computerized shopping carts, have frustrated customers and employees alike. Amazon has halted its grocery expansion, cutting shifts and jobs, and even adding traditional checkout options. This setback follows previous struggles in Amazon's transition from online to physical retail, with closures of Amazon Books, 4-Star gift stores, and scaled-back Amazon Go convenience stores. The lawsuits seek damages ranging from $50,000 to $14 million, highlighting the difficulties of translating Amazon's online success to the physical world.