Amazon has hit the headlines again, this time for aiming to increase the number of its cashier-less stores. Apparently, the ecommerce giant has already started testing the technology in larger stores, as per a recent report.
As per trusted sources, the company rolled out its first cashier-less store in Seattle in January, post which it went on to launch at additional locations in Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago. The cashier-less process involves stores being equipped with cameras and software to detect the products purchased by customers and charge them for the purchased items automatically, enabling them to skip the long and tedious checkout process, claim sources.
Sources familiar with the development state that Amazon’s existing stores are similar to a small convenience store, which is much smaller than the traditional grocery store with fewer people and items to keep track of. In 2017, Amazon delayed the launch of its stores as its stores kept breaking whenever it hosted more than 20 people shoppers.
Reports claim that Amazon has advanced the software within the stores since their launch, however, the technology is still facing complications within bigger spaces with high ceilings that encompass more products. A recent report further elaborated that the technology is being tested by Amazon within a larger space customized as a big store. Whole Foods, which Amazon purchased in 2017 would be the technology’s most prospective application. However, the retail chain stated in the past that it doesn’t plan on implementing the technology at its stores.
Credible reports affirm that reportedly, Amazon has big plans for its cashier-less stores, such as plans to launch as many as 3,000 stores by the year 2021. The plan would enable competition with major chains like CVS and Walmart if it fixes its range of store sizes from smaller corner ones to larger supermarkets, reported sources.