Amazon plans a new 229,000-square-foot retail store in a Chicago suburb.
Store comparable to Walmart or Target
Offers groceries, general merchandise, prepared foods
Construction may start later this year
Amazon is testing new retail concepts
Developing wearable AI device called Bee
Bee will act as a personal AI assistant
New features include email and calendar integration
Amazon plans to open a large retail store similar to Walmart or Target in a suburban area near Chicago. The 229,000-square-foot store will offer groceries, general merchandise, and prepared foods.
New Store Plans and Offerings
Amazon is currently seeking approval for this project and could start construction later this year. An Amazon spokesperson stated that the company often tests new retail experiences to improve customer convenience.
The spokesperson added that this new location is part of a concept that they believe will excite customers. The proposed offerings will include a variety of products individuals typically find in large retail spaces.
Wearable AI Device Development
Amazon is also working on a wearable AI device named Bee, acquired from an AI hardware startup in September. This device aims to serve as a personal AI companion, designed to enhance everyday tasks.
Bee will feature capabilities such as drafting emails, creating meeting invites, and adapting to individual user styles. At CES 2026, Amazon highlighted new features like email and calendar integration to streamline tasks for users.
Innovative Features of Bee
The latest updates to Bee include a variety of functionalities such as connecting spoken conversations to digital events and providing insights on user behaviors. This device aims to make AI technology feel personal and assist users effectively.
Co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo emphasized the goal of making technology that learns and adapts to individual users, ensuring a customized experience with Bee.
Alex Chen is a senior technology journalist with a decade of experience exploring the ever-evolving world of emerging technologies, cloud computing, hardware engineering, and AI-powered tools.
A graduate of Stanford University with a B.S. in Computer Engineering (2014), Alex blends his strong technical background with a journalist’s curiosity to provide insightful coverage of global innovations.
He has contributed to leading international outlets such as TechRadar, Tom’s Hardware, and The Verge, where his in-depth analyses and hardware reviews earned a reputation for precision and reliability.
Currently based in Paris, France, Alex focuses on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications — from AI-driven productivity tools to next-generation gaming and cloud infrastructure. His work consistently highlights how technology reshapes industries, creativity, and the human experience.
PYMNTS.com is a leading business-to-business (B2B) digital platform that provides news, data, and analysis on the payments and digital commerce industries. It serves executives and professionals in the financial services, retail, and fintech sectors.
