Amazon opens its first cashier-less store, Amazon Go

Amazon Go, the retailer’s first cashier-less store, has opened its doors to the public in Seattle. 

Before entering, customers have to download the Amazon Go app on a smartphone and link it to their debit or credit card. 

The smart supermarket then uses computer vision, sensors and deep learning technologies - similar to those used in autonomous vehicles - to track what customers take off the shelves. 

When customers exit the store, the items are then charged to the card automatically and they will receive a receipt for the purchase. 

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“Our Just Walk Out Technology automatically detects when products are taken from or returned to the shelves and keeps track of them in a virtual cart,” Amazon says. “When you’re done shopping, you can just leave the store. Shortly after, we’ll send you a receipt and charge your Amazon account.”

The company’s first brick-and-mortar store hopes to cut queue times and change the retail industry with its “just walk out” concept. 

The 1,800 square foot flagship store is open from 7am-9pm from Monday to Friday in its initial stages.

The technology now set to be put to the test after Amazon had a number of issues with it during development.

Should it prove successful, it is likely that Amazon will implement the technology within Whole Foods stores, having acquired the leading US grocery retailer last year in a deal worth $13.7bn.