AMAZON ABANDONS 'JUST WALK OUT' TECH, AXES JOBS IN SHIFT TO DASH CARTS
In a significant shift in its retail technology strategy, Amazon is set to phase out its innovative yet controversial "Just Walk Out" checkout-less shopping technology from its grocery stores, presenting a massive shift in the retail industry's future.
The groundbreaking technology, launched in 2016, leveraged a network of cameras and sensors to identify items shoppers picked off shelves, thus allowing them to bypass traditional checkout processes. However, high operational costs, late receipt times, and a reassurance of a seamless user experience, have compelled Amazon to reconsider this approach.
Notably, about half of the Amazon Fresh stores were equipped with this technology, underpinning a sizeable digital workforce of off-site cashiers in India who monitored checkouts via video feeds. However, the system did not prove to be as efficient as initially projected. A significant volume of Just Walk Out transactions needed human reviewers, often falling short of Amazon's ambitious internal goals.
Simultaneously, rumors of looming layoffs within AWS (Amazon Web Services), one of Amazon's most profitable segments, spark further concerns. The possible reduction in the workforce may impact its identity and checkout teams, potentially adding a layer of disruption in services.
Consequently, Amazon is opting for a more retail-friendly approach. Dash Carts will replace the vision-based checkout-less system, featuring an embedded scanner and screen in the shopping cart for easy checkout. The shift to Dash Carts represents a more compact and cost-effective solution than the complex infrastructure needed for Just Walk Out technology. Moreover, Amazon Fresh stores will also start featuring self-checkout counters, a more familiar end-to-end, consumer-controlled shopping experience.
However, this shift in strategy doesn't spell the end for the Just Walk Out technology entirely. A minuscule number of Fresh stores in the UK and some Amazon Go convenience stores are chosen to continue employing the checkout-less technology.
Amazon's pivot away from Just Walk Out could be a competitive strategy to grapple with retail heavyweights such as Walmart, Costco, and Kroger. These grocery giants have been steadily encroaching on Amazon's territory, deploying their affordable and user-centric shopping experience. However, Amazon's move to adopt proven technology, like Dash Carts and self-checkout counters, could help recoup the competitive edge.
Adjusting to the reality of modern retail and the shoppers' need for convenience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, Amazon's decision to adapt its technological initiatives gives us a glimpse into the future of retail technology. As grocery shopping continues to evolve, the balance of power may shift between traditional and tech-driven retail channels, reshaping not just the future of Amazon, but that of the entire retail industry.