Amazon launched its much-anticipated Amazon Go brick-and-mortar convenience store in Seattle on Monday, January 22. Here’s what you need to know about it, including how it works and where it’s located.
Amazon Go, for those unaware, is a standard grocery store – with a modern twist: it doesn’t accept credit or debit cards, let alone cash. To that end, there isn’t a single checkout or human cashier in sight. The 1,800 square feet retail space is a heavily-surveilled ghost town.
The firm has developed a system that uses a combination of artificial intelligence and CCTV to identify customers as they wander around the shop, automatically billing them for the items they’re carrying when they leave; eliminating the need to queue at a till.
The future of retail via @Amazon Go pic.twitter.com/jVIjnvi6aZ
— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) January 21, 2018
Getting started couldn’t be easier. All shoppers need to do is download the Amazon Go application from the App Store or Play Store (depending on their device) and sign into their Amazon account before they depart, then scan the QR code at the storefront when they arrive.
Much of what you’d find on the shelves of Amazon Go are stocked in traditional grocery stores, like Trader Joe’s. There are sandwiches, staple items and even Amazon Meal Kits, prepackaged ingredients that can be used to make a healthy meal in 30 minutes or less.
Located on Amazon’s campus at 2131 7th Ave (Seattle, WA 98121), the introductory Amazon Go retail store marks the start of the first round of consumer testing. If it’s well-received, we can expect to see more pop up in the future – but there’s no telling how long that will take.
Are you hoping to see Amazon launch Amazon Go in more locations? Be sure to let us know over on Facebook or Twitter @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
