Amazon has unveiled a new suburban format for its checkout-free Amazon Go convenience stores, with the first two locations slated to open in the coming months.
Plans are to open a 6,150-square-foot Amazon Go store in Mill Creek, Washington, followed by another new-concept Go store in metropolitan Los Angeles, Amazon said Tuesday. The Seattle-based email giant gave no details on its upcoming LA-area location.
The first new-format Amazon Go, located at 13209 39th Ave. SE, Suite 101, located in Mill Creek, will have approximately 3,240 square feet of retail space in front of the store. The overall size of over 6,000 square feet makes the new concept much larger than the current 22 Amazon Go stores, which range in size from 1,200 to 2,700 square feet. The existing locations in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle also focus on heavily frequented areas in urban markets.
“Amazon Go is expanding its store portfolio with a new store format to serve customers in suburbs that are closer to home,” Amazon said in a statement announcing the new Go concept. “The new format offers customers a fast and convenient shopping experience to purchase groceries, snacks and beverages to go, as well as some everyday necessities. Customers also have the option to choose from a full selection of beer and wine, including local favourites.”
The new suburban Amazon Go format (pictured above) is significantly larger than current Go stores, which range from 1,200 to 2,700 square feet and are located in urban markets.
Like the current Amazon Go stores, the Mill Creek and LA stores will feature Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology, allowing customers to avoid waiting at the checkout.
The system uses overhead computer vision cameras, weight sensors and deep learning technology to recognize goods that shoppers are taking off or putting back on shelves and tracks items selected in a virtual shopping cart. At the store’s front gates, customers are encouraged to select Just Walk Out purchases or use the traditional checkouts. Those who choose Just Walk Out enter the store by scanning the QR code on the Amazon mobile app, scanning their palm on the Amazon One Palm signature device, or using a credit/debit card linked to their Amazon account. Insert debit card. When shoppers exit the store, Just Walk Out automatically charges their Amazon account for the items they’re taking, using the same entry method, and then sends a receipt to the app.
“The store will offer the same Just Walk Out shopping experience that customers have come to appreciate from our other Amazon Go stores. When you’re done shopping, you’re good to go. No queues, no checkout,” Amazon explained.
While no details were given, Amazon said new product offerings will also appear in the new format’s Go stores when they launch.
Amazon has steadily expanded its presence in groceries and grocery stores with its banner. In addition to its Amazon Go locations, the company most recently has 23 full-size Amazon Fresh grocery stores Opening of a 40,000 square meter store in La Habra, California. Amazon said it has confirmed additional Amazon Fresh store openings in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington.
The La Habra site also became the sixth Amazon Fresh with Just Walk Out technology. Amazon Fresh Stores also offer the multifunction Amazon Dash cart Smart Shopping Cart – which allows users to find items, track purchases and skip the checkout line – and Aplenty, a new private label grocery line.
Earlier this month, Amazon Fresh debuted in the dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index (RPI)Ranked #5 among US grocery retailers on the 2022 list.
Overall, Amazon has more than 600 brick-and-mortar stores across the United States, of which over 500 are Whole Foods Market grocery stores. Besides Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, other banners for physical stores are Amazon Books, Amazon 4-Star and Amazon Pop Up. Last week Amazon presented Amazon stylea new clothing store concept slated to open later this year at The Americana at Brand, a retail, dining, entertainment and residential community in Glendale, California.
