Amazon has scrapped its “just walk-out” technology after trying for years to get traction with its checkout-free offering.
The decision was made on Tuesday to abandon the technology in grocery stores, but the change will not be applicable to UK outlets.
Since its launch in 2016, this system allows customers to purchase items, leave the store without paying for them at the checkout and instead charge their Amazon accounts.
The Information reported that Tony Hoggett is the senior vice-president of Amazon’s supermarkets. He said the company will prioritise the smart trolley technology rather than walk out equipment in the US.
Amazon launched its Dash Cart System in 2020. It tracks the items that shoppers place in their carts.
It is possible to weigh the items and provide real-time receipts. The customers then leave the store through a special lane where their credit cards are charged.
This system allows customers to track their expenditure in real-time, rather than wait for a receipt as per the “just leave” model.
Amazon’s spokesman stated that the company has spent “a great deal of time over the past year redesigning some of our Amazon Fresh Stores”.
The company added: “We have heard from our customers that they enjoy the convenience of walking out without having to wait in line at the checkout, but they also want the ability to find nearby products, deals and view their receipt while shopping, as well as know how much they saved throughout the store.”
Amazon will open its first supermarket without checkouts in London early in 2021, as part of the company’s push into physical stores.
In August 2022 it suspended the rollout of its cashierless supermarkets in the UK.
It announced a larger hiatus and that it would close some sites early last year. The online retailer had to write off its brick-and-mortar assets for $720m.
Andy Jassy said that Amazon would not expand its physical Fresh stores until they had figured out how to provide a different offering.
Rival supermarkets are also experimenting with checkout-free shopping. Many have shifted their spending to cheaper alternatives, such as self-service checkouts.