Amazon Announces First Arkansas Fulfillment Center; Walmart May Start Prime Rival

Amazon announced its first fulfillment center in Arkansas, a 825,000-square-foot site in the Port of Little Rock area that's expected to create 1,000 full-time jobs when it opens next year. It's about 220 miles southeast of Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville. Recode said Walmart is planning to roll out a service this month rivaling Amazon Prime with same-day delivery for groceries and general merchandise, discounts and early access to deals. The retailer scrapped its $49-per-year ShippingPass subscription service in 2017 (1701310045) when free two-day shipping became table stakes for retailers. Walmart didn't comment. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) noted the Amazon location’s proximity to interstate highways, rail and “navigable waterways.” In the new facility, employees will work alongside robotics to pick, pack and ship small items including books, electronics and toys, Amazon said Tuesday. Amazon also plans a new 85,000-square-foot delivery station for opening late this year, providing the “last mile” of Amazon’s order fulfillment process. That's expected to create “hundreds” of permanent, full- and part-time jobs, it said.