Amazon Swaps Checkout Tech in US Stores
- Transition to 'Amazon Dash Cart' to take 18 months
- 44 US Amazon Fresh stores, 27 currently use old tech
Amazon.com, Inc. is planning to phase out the 'Just Walk Out' cashierless technology from its Amazon Fresh grocery stores in the U.S. This system, a significant innovation in checkout technology, uses cameras and shelf sensors. The company intends to replace this technology with a 'smart-cart' system, Amazon Dash Cart, which allows customers to scan items as they shop.
The transition to Amazon Dash Cart is projected to take place over the next 18 months. Most existing Amazon Fresh stores in the U.S. are expected to adopt the new system. Currently, there are 44 Amazon Fresh stores in the U.S., with 27 of them using the 'Just Walk Out' technology.
Despite the planned removal of 'Just Walk Out' technology from its Fresh grocery stores, Amazon will continue to use this system at its Amazon Go stores and smaller format Fresh stores in the U.K. The company has reported encouraging early signs from the new Amazon Fresh store design at locations in Chicago and Southern California.