Amazon has announced a change in their plans regarding their Just Walk Out technology in their Amazon Fresh stores. They mentioned that customers value this technology for quick shopping trips where they can avoid standing in line to pay or scanning items at self-checkout. Due to the positive response from customers in small format stores, Amazon plans to launch more small format third-party Just Walk Out stores in 2024 than in any previous year.
In larger grocery stores, where customers typically make bigger weekly trips and purchase more items, Amazon Dash Cart, a smart shopping cart using the same computer vision technology as Just Walk Out, is preferred. The Dash Cart not only allows customers to skip the line at checkout but also acts as a shopping companion, helping customers locate items, providing personalized shopping experiences, and tracking savings and spending in real-time.
Amazon is expanding Dash Cart to all Amazon Fresh stores and third-party grocers. They believe that Just Walk Out technology will be the future for stores with a curated selection, where customers can quickly grab the items they need and walk out without any hassles. Currently, Just Walk Out technology is present in over 140 third-party locations in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, including travel retailers, sports stadiums, entertainment venues, convenience stores, hospitals, and college campuses.
The momentum for Just Walk Out stores is expected to grow due to the convenience it offers to customers and the benefits it provides to businesses, such as increased sales, reduced theft, and a positive return on investment.