The apparent scoop also sheds light on the previously rumored drive-up stores. Amazon is believed to be working on license plate scanning that would reduce wait times -- presumably, that would help Amazon spot your vehicle as you drive in and tell staff to head out that much sooner. You'd have to be an AmazonFresh subscriber to take advantage of these locations, though.

Amazon isn't commenting on the store initiative, which is codenamed Project Como. However, it wouldn't be a shocking move. The internet giant has been candid with its plans to open more physical stores, and grocery stores are a logical extension for a company that increasingly treats food as a staple of its online ordering business. If anyone is going to be surprised, it could be established convenience and grocery store chains that often treat internet-based delivery as a secondary service at best.