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Amazon Go’s Concept Store Gets Going, Opens to Public
After its initial unveiling in December 2016 and trial-run with Amazon employees in Seattle, Amazon Go has opened to the public in Seattle. The store is entirely cashierless, enabled by a shopper’s smartphone upon entry, and has sensors and cameras tracking shoppers around the store which automatically adds their selected items into their Amazon account’s digital cart for an entirely virtual check-out process.
In terms of offerings, the store reportedly falls somewhere above a gas station convenience store, but below a main grocery market. For example, it stocks some items beyond snacks and basic groceries, and has pre-packed take-away food, but does not have a hot bar. When it opened, humans were still a part of the experience, answering questions, checking IDs for alcohol purchases and making food for the take-away section.
According to Gianna Puerini, Amazon’s VP who oversees the concept, the store is delivering in its “selection, price, and convenience.” While the company would love to open more and expand, it would need a demand from thousands of office workers in the prospective area to make the investment worthwhile.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Daniella Soloway
