Amazon is reportedly scouting for new locations to launch its Amazon Go supermarkets in the UK.
The cashierless supermarkets use technology to allow customers to pick up items and walk out with them, charging their Amazon account automatically instead so they don't have to stand in a checkout queue.
According to reports this weekend, the online retailer is looking for “a significant number” of sites sized between 4,000 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft across the UK.
Amazon initially launched the concept back in 2016, allowing Amazon staff to trial the new technology. Since then, it has opened five stores in the US across the cities of Seattle and Chicago.
In order to shop in the stores, customers download an Amazon Go app before entering the store. They have to use the app to enter the store, which registers their Amazon account, and then they can put their phone away and start shopping.
Amazon’s so-called ‘Just Walk Out Technology’ uses computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning to detect when products are taken off a shelf, or later returned.
The technology keeps track of all the items in a virtual cart so there is no scanning involved. Once customers have finished shopping they can leave the store and Amazon will charge the customer account.
The first Amazon Go store in Chicago opened last month, following up on a plan disclosed earlier this year to expand beyond Seattle to Chicago and San Francisco were the first expansion cities named, and Amazon also confirmed a location in New York City last month.
After spending years developing the technology behind the store, and another year testing it with Amazon employees, the tech giant is speeding up the pace of Amazon Go expansion. In late September reports surfaced that Amazon is considering opening as many as 3,000 Amazon Go stores by 2021.
The original store opened in January in the base of Amazon’s Day One officer tower. The second store at the Madison Centre office building in downtown Seattle opened late August. A third store opened one week later in one of Amazon’s office buildings at 300 Boren Avenue North in the South Lake Union neighbourhood.
RPA Perspective It was only a matter of time before Amazon brought the Amazon Go brand to the UK, however the speed with which it has ramped up its US operations to look at international expansion is surprising. The company field several trademarks with the UK Intellectual Property Office last year, including slogans such as “No Lines. No Checkout. (No Seriously.)”
This slogan appeared on Amazon’s YouTube video initially promoting the store.
The initial roll-out has not been without glitches.
In 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that the technology faced problems when there were more than 20 people in the store, something Amazon has been working to correct and, as a result, has delayed the expected roll-out of further locations.
The stores stock ready-to-eat items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with some grocery essential ranges too, however, stock varies depending on which store you are in.
You can hear more about Amazon’s plans at RPA’s Retail event on 18 October in London.
