Amazon open its first checkout-free supermarket

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is set to open its first checkout-free supermarket location in the U.S on Monday, as it looks to revolutionize retail.

The online giant is opening its first AmazonGo location in Seattle, with staff having tested out the concept over the course of the last year.

Gianna Puerini, head of Amazon Go, said the store testing phase had gone well: “This technology didn’t exist – it was really advancing the state of the art of computer vision and machine learning.”

Through the use of ceiling cameras and electronic sensors to identify each customer, their purchases are tracked and they are billed accordingly.

Shoppers who have downloaded the AmazonGo can immediately make use of the Seattle store. Purchases are billed to customers’ credit cards once they have left the store.

As of yet, Amazon has yet to announce the opening of any further AmazonGo locations.

Amazon has also moved to open more physical stores, with 13 bookstores across of U.S since 2015.

Back in october, Brian Olsavsky, Amazon chief financial officer, suggested that customers should expect to see more Amazon shops in months ahead.

“You will see more expansion from us – it’s still early, so those plans will develop over time,” he said last year.

Last year the company confirmed its plans to buy organic grocer Whole Foods, which it now sells online on its website.

However, Whole Foods customers have been complaining as of late, with food shortages at its locations across the U.K.

Whole Foods have pointed to its newly implemented inventory-management system called order-to-shelf, or otherwise referred to as OTS. The retailer has said that OTS reduces unnecessary waste, lowers costs, and frees up employees to focus on customer service.

However, the service has led to the adverse effect of empty shelves and out of stock items, much to shoppers dismay.

Shares in the company are currently trading up marginally by 0.097 percent as of 12.38AM (GMT).

 

Previous articleHeadlam Group shares up as pre-tax profits rise
Next articleEasyjet shares rise 5pc on strong revenue and passenger growth
Nicole covers emerging global economic and political events for The UK Investor Magazine. Her focus is particularly upon company news and political developments in Europe and the US.