Home Amazon scraps ‘Just Walk Out’ to smart carts in Fresh stores

Amazon scraps ‘Just Walk Out’ to smart carts in Fresh stores

TL:DR

  • Amazon replacing "Just Walk Out" with smart carts in Fresh stores.
  • Smart carts let customers skip checkout, monitor expenses in real time.
  • Change won't affect U.K.; focus shifting to smart carts in U.S.

Amazon is phasing out its “Just Walk Out” technology from its Amazon Fresh stores in a bid to overhaul the grocery chain.

The company’s well-known technology, which allows shoppers to purchase goods without queuing and receive receipts electronically, will be substituted by smart carts. Amazon states that these carts will not only allow customers to bypass the checkout lines but also enable them to monitor their expenses in real time.

Tony Hoggett, the senior vice president of the internet giant’s grocery operations, told The Information that the focus will now shift towards smart cart technology throughout the U.S., instead of the “Just Walk Out” technology. However, this change will not impact its stores in the U.K.

Gizmodo reports that while the system appeared to be completely automated, “Just Walk Out” relied on more than 1,000 people in India watching and labeling videos to ensure accurate checkouts.

“The cashiers were simply moved off-site, and they watched you as you shopped,” it claimed.

Amazon’s grocery venture

Based in Seattle, Amazon runs many Fresh grocery outlets across the country, with a significant presence in California, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington state. The company also manages a chain of cashier-less convenience stores under the Amazon Go label and acquired Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion.

Contrary to expectations that Amazon’s foray into the grocery market would be a disruptor, the company has faced challenges in pinpointing a successful strategy.

In 2023, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy published his annual shareholder letter where he reflected on one of the most challenging periods in the retailer’s history. In the statement, he wrote: “Amazon Fresh is the brand we’ve been experimenting with for a few years, and we’re working hard to identify and build the right mass grocery format for Amazon scale. Grocery is a big growth opportunity for Amazon.”

The company has closed several Amazon Fresh and Go stores that did not meet expectations and announced early last year that it was halting the expansion of Fresh stores.

Just Walk Out technology will continue to be offered in Amazon Go stores and some smaller Amazon Fresh stores in the U.K., the company said. It will also continue offering the technology to third-party retailers.

Featured image: Canva

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.