Amazon Launches Amazon Go: Cashier-less Retail Stores

Amazon has reportedly launched Amazon Go, a new grocery store which will sell food items and groceries. However, this store is slightly different than other regular grocery stores. Amazon Go is the first ever retail store without a cashier. The store has already been opened to Amazon employees at Seattle. It will be thrown open to the public in early 2017.

Instead of cashiers, the store completely relies on technology. According to Amazon, the store is reliant on "sensors, computers and learning". This new technology has been named as "Just walk out" by the company. It is designed to detect whenever a customer picks up a product or returns the same to a shelf.

The technology is named aptly because a customer will just walk out after being done with shopping. Customers will have to download the "Amazon Go" app and scan the same while going into the store. This app will tie all customers to their existing Amazon accounts. As they finish shopping at the store and walk out of the same, the bill will be charged to them through the app.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon has ambitious plans of launching 2000 such stores across the US. Their modus operandi is based on the aim of getting the product to the customer without involving a middleman. This new venture by Amazon is set to pit itself against rivals like Walmart, Target and other retail stores.

Along with the cashier-less retail store, Amazon is also considering other formats. These include a big discount store and a small drive-through store. The discount chain store will reportedly cover span over an area of 4000 square foot.

With this latest offering, Amazon is looking forward to establish its presence as an offline brand. The company has always emphasized on delivering products to customers on the same day and Amazon Go is a step towards that direction.