Customers will be able to pick up their shopping and walk out without stopping to pay
Amazon has launched its first UK stores where shoppers can come in, buy what they need, and leave – all without stopping to pay for their items.
The stores, called Amazon Fresh, use a QR scanner at the entrance to track what items customers place in their baskets, and add up the cost throughout the shopping trip, up until they leave the store.
The first of the stores has opened in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre in London, with more planned. The stores will be open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Amazon said: “Amazon Fresh is the first convenience grocery store to offer Just Walk Out Technology in the UK.
“We offer a mix of everyday essentials, local favourites and seasonal items we think you’ll want and love, all at great prices.
“We’re also excited to offer delicious ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals.”
In a statement on the technology surrounding the stores, Amazon added: “Our checkout-free shopping experience is made possible by the same types of technologies used in self-driving cars: computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning.
“Just Walk Out Technology automatically detects when products are taken from or returned to the shelves and keeps track of them in a virtual basket.
“When you’re done shopping, you can just leave the store.
“Later, we’ll email you a receipt and charge your Amazon account. No queues, no checkout. (No, seriously.)”
