Amazon is opening its newest physical grocery store in the Seattle area this week. This is the first time that the cashier-less “Just Walk Out” technology is applied to a full-sized store and is definitely a milestone to Amazon for technically scaling up. Though there are a few other Amazon Fresh cashier-less stores scattered around the globe, the new store is significantly standing out from the others as it is the first full-sized store to exhibit this technology. Being spread across around 25,000 square feet, the store is considerably huge when compared to the 10,400 square foot Amazon Go Grocery Store that was opened last week or its other regular 1,200 and 2,300 feet Go Stores. This new store will be Amazon’s 14th Fresh store in the US Region and is scheduled to open gates on June 17th at Bellevue, Washington.
Amazon has employed “Just Walk Out” (a technology that makes use of a series of pressure-sensitive shelves and overhead cameras to automatically detect what the shopper puts into his cart) on a big scale and has definitely proved that it’s technically strong and can employ its technology in whatever scale. This store uses “Just Walk Out”, but does not use the high-tech Dash shopping carts that are available in the Fresh grocery stores.
Amazon’s Vice President of Physical Retail and Technology, Dilip Kumar mentions, “Bringing Just Walk Out technology to a full-sized grocery space with the Amazon Fresh store in Bellevue showcases the technology’s continued ability to scale and adapt to new environments and selection”. He also added, “I’m thrilled that it’ll help even more customers enjoy an easier and faster way to shop and I can’t wait to get their feedback on this latest Just Walk Out offering”.
Amazon says that whenever a customer enters the new store in Bellevue, they will have to choose a checkout option. The store will also hold traditional checkout registers if you want to pay for groceries the regular way. If you choose the “Just Walk Out” option, you will have to scan a QR code in the Amazon app of your mobile phone before entering the store. If you don’t have your mobile phone with you, Amazon also provides other options such as inserting a linked credit or debit card or scanning your palm. After you leave the store, Amazon automatically bills for your items in their virtual cart and sends you a digital receipt.
The store is all set to sell meat and prepared food such as rotisserie chickens and pizza slices. It will also serve as the return centers or delivery stations for the Amazon.com packages. There are Alexa kiosks and Amazon One as well. Amazon is now sending its Amazon Go Technology to other non-Amazon retail organizations. Amazon mentions that Hudson Markets, OTG CIBO Express, and Delaware North are three other retailers that have started implementing this technology in their stores.