Bigger Than Walmart: Amazon Large-Format Store Chicago Proposal Unveiled

Amazon's moving from your doorstep to a massive storefront that's even bigger than a Walmart Supercenter. The e-commerce giant just unveiled plans for its most ambitious physical retail experiment yet in a Chicago suburb.

Details of the Amazon Large-Format Store Chicago Proposal

According to municipal documents from Orland Park, Illinois, Amazon has proposed a 229,000-square-foot facility. For context, the average Walmart Supercenter stands at approximately 179,000 square feet. This new concept is expected to house everything from groceries and household essentials to general merchandise under one enormous roof.

The site isn't just for browsing aisles. It includes a "limited warehouse component" designed to support on-site logistics and provide a hub for delivery drivers to pick up customer orders. This hybrid model signals Amazon's intent to fuse its dominant online delivery network with a high-traffic physical presence.

A Strategic Pivot in Physical Retail

Amazon hasn't always found success in the physical world. While it acquired Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion in 2017, it has shuttered various bookstores and apparel concepts over the years. This new project in Orland Park marks a shift toward competing directly with big-box titans like Target and Costco.