The first Amazon Whole Foods cashierless store is now open to the public. This innovation is quite important during the ongoing pandemic since it allows consumers to shop without the need to make any physical contact just to settle their shopping bills.
A member of staff refills the shelves in the UK's first branch of Amazon Fresh, on March 04, 2021, in the Ealing area of London, England. Shoppers at the Amazon Fresh store, which stocks hundreds of Amazon-owned products and third-party items, check in with a smartphone app upon entry and are automatically billed when they exit, without needing to scan individual items.
The e-commerce giant has been using its cashierless technology, Just Walk Out, for the past few years. It is currently featured in Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores.
Now, the giant retail firm has decided to expand the scope of its Just Walk Out tech by integrating it into a Whole Foods supermarket for the first time.
First Amazon Whole Foods Cashierless Store
According to The Verge's latest report, Amazon purchased the Whole Foods store located in DC's Glover Park neighborhood for around $13.7 billion back in 2017.
A Whole Foods Market sign is seen in Washington, DC, June 16, 2017, following the announcement that Amazon would purchase the supermarket chain for $13.7 billion. - Amazon is once again shaking up the retail sector, with the announcement it will acquire upscale US grocer Whole Foods Market, known for its pricey organic options, in a deal that underscores the online giant's growing influence in the economy.
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However, the company did not really customize it. After the billion-dollar purchase, Amazon only integrated its discounts and Prime subscribers' free delivery perks in the supermarket.
Now, Amazon is further improving its Whole Foods store. If you visit the food market, you will be able to use the e-commerce's Just Walk Out feature.
But, consumers are still allowed to choose self-service checkouts if they are don't want to use the cashierless feature.
On the other hand, some active staff is still working in the area. They are there to assist people who are not familiar with how Amazon Whole Foods stores work.
As of the moment, the retailer hasn't confirmed if it will also integrate its Just Walk Out feature in other Whole Foods Market stores.
How Amazon Just Walk Out Works
Amazon's official website explained that the advanced Just Walk Out feature could identify if consumers took items in supermarkets and other stores.
It relies on a virtual cart, which will tell if a shopper takes an item from a shelf and when products are returned.
Before they leave, consumers will be charged based on the items in their virtual carts.
Amazon iPad Mini recently went on sale in other news, allowing consumers to purchase it for only $459. Meanwhile, Amazon Astro Robot was previously introduced.
For more news updates about Amazon and its upcoming activities, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
