Amazon to launch new chain of supermarkets: report

Online retail behemoth Amazon is planning to open dozens of supermarkets in several US cities, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday citing people familar with the matter.

The first outlet is to be opened in Los Angeles possibly by the end of the year, the paper wrote, and leases have also been signed for two other properties, with openings planned for early next year.

There was no immediate confirmation of the plan from Amazon.

The online retailer, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, also owns the organic supermarket chain Whole Foods.

The new supermarkets would be distinct from that chain but it was not clear whether they would carry the name Amazon, the Journal reported.