Paramus, NJ—The Fairway Market located at the Fashion Center in Paramus has been vacant since May 15th, 2020 since Amazon purchased the property, along with some other New Jersey locations. The store has been converted into an Amazon Fresh market. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held bright and early this Thursday at 6:45 am with the doors opening at 5 am.
Amazon Fresh first started as an online grocery delivery service. It began its flagship stores in Woodland Hills and Irvine, California. This will be the first New Jersey location, with new stores planned for Lodi, Woodland Park, Eatontown, and Holmdel. The Paramus location is looking for more employees, including overnight inventory workers, with hourly rates starting at $16.50.
Technology is the key at Amazon Fresh grocery stories. Their proprietary “Dash Cart” monitors what you put in and out of your cat, allowing you to skip the checkout line. The innovative technology adds up your purchases and charges your card on file, allowing you to “dash” out of the store. In addition, Amazon’s voice command service Alexa will answer customer questions while you shop.
Amazon also owns the popular grocery chain Whole Foods. While Amazon Fresh focuses on technology and speed, Whole Foods is known for selling products that are free from products containing artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial colors and flavors. They also offer a lot of organic products and products that are allergen-free. Amazon Fresh will contain national store brands and mainstream products, with an emphasis on price.
There will be a new Whole Foods opening on July 27th in Woodcliff Lake. The 48,000 square feet store is located on Chestnut Ridge Road and will be the chain’s 23rd store in New Jersey. The new Amazon Fresh is at 30 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, in the Fashion Center mall complex.