Amazon has started a trial of a new shop concept that it is calling “Just Walk Out” in Seattle. Customers swipe into the store using a ‘Go’ app, then the shop systems track items taken from or returned to the shelves. Once the shopper leaves the store, the charge is made. The store will focus on ready to eat food, Amazon ‘food kits’, with everything needed for a home-cooked meal and fresh ingredients.
Analyst Comment
This idea was explained to me more than ten years ago (maybe 15) by Ali Demin, when I met him after he had been the Sales and Marketing Director for Samsung (and a Samsung employee of the year!). He didn’t find backers for the idea, but was clearly ahead of his time. To really enjoy the cost savings of this kind of set-up, people in the store need to be spread thin, so interactive displays are likely to be a useful asset. (BR)
