New York, Jan 10, 2026, 09:35 ET — Market closed
- Amazon shares edged up 0.4% on Friday, closing at $247.38
- A report reveals Amazon is gearing up to open a Walmart-style big-box store close to Chicago
- Traders are focused on U.S. inflation figures set for Jan. 13 and await clues about Amazon’s upcoming earnings date
Amazon.com Inc shares ticked up 0.4% on Friday, ending the day at $247.38. The move came after reports surfaced that Amazon plans to open a Walmart-style big-box store near Chicago. The S&P 500 climbed 0.65% on the session.
The potential shift matters as it suggests Amazon is still aiming to expand its presence in physical retail, despite years spent experimenting with smaller store formats. A genuine “one-stop” shop would place it directly in the territory Walmart has dominated for decades.
Investors are zeroing in on whether Amazon can leverage its stores to slash delivery expenses and secure grocery shoppers, all without eroding profit margins. This comes as Wall Street continues to debate how quickly Amazon’s profit machine can accelerate amid hefty spending on logistics and cloud infrastructure.
Orland Park, Illinois, greenlit a roughly 228,000-square-foot store this week, designed to serve both walk-in customers and e-commerce orders, according to Business Insider’s review of planning documents. Amazon attorney Katie Jahnke Dale described it as “a more purpose-built and thoughtful” approach to big-box retail. An Amazon spokesperson added that the site is earmarked for “a new concept” the company believes customers “will be excited about.” Business Insider
A large-format store could bring Amazon closer to Walmart and Target in the everyday goods space, where quick pickup and local delivery are now standard. Although Amazon has closed some physical store experiments in recent years, it continues to push into groceries via Whole Foods and other formats, The Verge reported.
Amazon Web Services claimed the top spot again, marking its third consecutive year as a leader in the Information Services Group’s report on sovereign cloud infrastructure services in the EU. The term “sovereign cloud” refers to cloud systems designed to keep data and control local to a country or region—a need that’s increasingly pressing for governments and regulated sectors. Amazon Web Services, Inc.
AWS revealed plans to expand “Amazon Quick,” its AI-driven work assistant, by integrating third-party AI agents and adding more built-in features linked to business software. The update aims to help employees find answers and perform tasks without switching apps. Amazon Web Services, Inc.
Deutsche Bank’s Lee Horowitz sees an “AI ‘loser’ overhang” lifting off Amazon this year. He believes AWS capacity growth could pick up again, driving cloud revenue higher. Horowitz estimates AWS might add 15 gigawatts of capacity in the next two years and suggests Amazon’s shopping assistant, Rufus, could already be generating $10 billion in extra revenue. MarketWatch
Technical traders kept an eye on Amazon after Investor’s Business Daily reported the stock’s Relative Strength rating — which tracks performance against peers over 12 months — edged up. The publication highlighted a key chart level near $258.60, a threshold some momentum investors view as a potential breakout.
Running large stores comes with high costs, and Amazon’s track record in physical retail has been uneven. If investors spot store growth and data-center expenses climbing faster than demand, the stock could quickly shift back into a cost-focused debate.
The macro calendar next week might steer megacap tech’s direction. The U.S. Consumer Price Index for December drops Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Then, the Fed meets Jan. 27-28. Amazon hasn’t revealed its next earnings date yet, while Nasdaq’s earnings page lists a tentative Feb. 5 estimate.
