Amazon opens 'no-line, no-wait' concept store in Seattle, U.S.

By

Kate Dingwall

Published
Dec 6, 2016

Massive online retailer Amazon is opening its first concept store in Seattle, Washington. Called Amazon Go, the unique retail experience boasts no lines and no checkout procedures. Instead of the usual Amazon tech, clothing, and other non-perishable products, the store will offer groceries.

In a press statement, Amazon stated, "Four years ago we asked ourselves: what if we could create a shopping experience with no lines and no checkout? Could we push the boundaries of computer vision and machine learning to create a store where customers could simply take what they want and go? Our answer to those questions is Amazon Go and Just Walk Out Shopping."

The first location of the store stocks new product categories for the retail giant, including fresh produce, locally-prepared baked goods, artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and ready-to-eat meals and snacks.

Instead of traditional cash-out procedures, like clerks, lines, and tills, the store will use exclusively smart phone scanners. Customers will not even have to go to a scanner to pay for their items, all they need to do is scan their phone upon entry, pick up the desired items, and leave – the in-store scanners will do the rest. All payments will be processed through an Amazon smartphone app and receipts will be sent immediately after the customer leaves the store.

The inaugural 1,800-square-foot Amazon Go store is now open for business in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, but only Amazon staff can shop at the retail space.

The location will be open to the public in early 2017.