Amazon is making its Just Walk Out till-free technology available to other high street shops, having launched it through its own Go Grocery chain over two years ago. The system allows shoppers to register a payment card on entry and be automatically billed as they leave, without needing an Amazon account.
The technology involves fitting stores with hundreds of cameras and depth-sensors, with data analysed remotely on Amazon's servers. The software can distinguish between a shopper picking up an item to purchase or merely examining it. Amazon says installation can take as little as a few weeks.
Natalie Berg, founder of NBK Retail consultancy, described the move as long-expected, noting that licensing the technology is more lucrative than using it solely in Amazon's own stores. However, she added that rivals like Walmart are unlikely to adopt Amazon's system, leaving opportunities for other vendors.
The announcement comes after Amazon opened its largest Go Grocery store in Seattle, stocking about 5,000 items across 10,000 square feet. UK supermarkets can be up to 185,500 square feet, raising questions about scalability. Simpler technologies like portable barcode scanners and self-checkout tills already reduce the need for staffed checkouts.
Amazon emphasises that retailers will still employ staff for tasks like greeting customers, stocking shelves, and checking IDs. Berg noted that while automation will reduce overall jobs, remaining roles will focus on customer-facing tasks, requiring significant skill evolution over the next decade.
