Amazon is revamping its Amazon Fresh stores by replacing the Just Walk Out technology with smart carts that allow customers to skip the checkout line while seeing their spending in real time. The decision was prompted by customer feedback who wanted the convenience of skipping the checkout line, but also wanted to be able to track their spending and see their receipts in real time.
In an effort to revamp its grocery chain, Amazon has been selectively opening new Fresh stores and remodeling existing ones. Despite initial predictions that Amazon would disrupt the grocery market, the company has faced challenges in finding a successful formula for its grocery business. Some Amazon Fresh and Go stores have been shut down due to underperformance, and the company is focusing on refining its approach to physical grocery stores.
The new smart carts will offer customers the convenience of bypassing the checkout line, as well as the ability to view their receipts and savings in real time. Amazon operates numerous Fresh grocery stores across the United States, with a concentration in states like California, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington. In addition to Fresh stores, Amazon owns Whole Foods, as well as Amazon Go cashier-free convenience stores.
Carly Golden, an Amazon spokesperson stated that “We are always listening to our customers and making changes based on their feedback. With these new smart carts we aim to provide our customers with a more convenient shopping experience while still giving them transparency into their spending.”
