Retail in Asia

In Trends

Woolworths opens first online-only “dark” store

It looks like a normal supermarket, complete with fruit and vegetables, meat and freshly baked bread, but there’s one thing missing from Woolworths’ newest store – the customers.

Woolworths has opened its first dedicated online store at Mascot, in the heart of the biggest online retail market in Australia.

Australia’s largest retailer currently picks products to fulfil online grocery orders from supermarkets closest to online shoppers’ homes. But, as online grocery shopping becomes increasingly popular, Woolworths is considering opening ­dedicated online stores – also known as dark stores or "shadow warehouses" – in each of its major markets.