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Amazon Opens First DC-Area Location

Specialty Food Association

Amazon has opened an Amazon Fresh location in Franconia, Virginia, making it the first in the Washington D.C. area, reports Progressive Grocer. A second location is planned for Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Heba Zalzala, zone lead for associate experience at Amazon Fresh, said that customers started lining up for the opening as early as 4:30 a.m., according to the report.

“Our first team huddle was 15 minutes before we opened the doors and our team was pumped – this was what they were working for,” she said.

The 30,000-square-foot store offers an assortment of grocery, fresh, and prepared items, as well as technologies like Amazon Dash Cart and Amazon Alexa kiosks.

Zalzala noted that training and teaching store associates is essential to helping shoppers, according to the report.

“I make sure that the associates know all we have to offer – we have a hot and cold bar and our bakery section is huge – and how to make recommendations to customers,” she said. Full Story

Related: Amazon Moves Prime Now ServiceAmazon Go Grocery Rebrands as Amazon Fresh.