How many shoppers does it take to break an Amazon Go store?

No primary category set

Amazon Go is an idea the retailer giant mooted late last year. Imagine a shop without cashiers and check outs and no need to pay right there. You just check in to the store with your Amazon app and fill your basket. Through the general wizardry of motion sensors and the like, the shop knows exactly what you put in your basket. And as you leave with your groceries, your spend is automatically totted up and charged to your Amazon account. It’s all about convenience and speed.

As they boast in the promo vid, you can even take something from the shelf and then put it back and not be charged.

This video explains the concept:

But all is not working out as planned at the Amazon Go trailblazer stores in Seattle, according to reports. The systems apparently can’t cope with more than 20 shoppers at a time and the result is the opening will be delayed for an unknown period.

It seems churlish to be overly hard on an experiment in nascent technology. There is always (rightly) going to be a period of testing and learning whenever you try something new. And there’s no shame in getting things wrong too. Previously Amazon said the new store (stores?) would be open by the end of March but now, inevitably, that roll out is going to be delayed as they iron out the wrinkles.

We’ll keep you posted.

One Response

  1. I was reading about this the other day, apparently if someone helps you get an item off a high shelf that person gets charged for the item not you and the system doesn’t like it if an item is put back in the wrong place. All interesting stuff but as you say there are bound to be glitches at first.

RELATED POSTS..

The key considerations for retailers and manufacturers adopting a new e-commerce marketplace

Key considerations when adopting a new e-commerce marketplace

Amazon expands Same-Day Delivery ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon expands Same-Day Delivery ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Rosenblatt to take legal action on Amazon frozen disbursements

Rosenblatt to take legal action on Amazon frozen disbursements

Lou Casados @ Getida on optimising your Amazon Business

Lou Casados @ Getida on optimising your Amazon Business

Amazon ad tech to see interactive and shoppable video ad formats in 2025 Amazon Ads: Prime Video Streaming TV ads connect content with commerce Prime Video Ads

Amazon ad tech to see interactive and shoppable video ad formats in 2025

ChannelX Guide...

Featured in this article from the ChannelX Guide – companies that can help you grow and manage your business.

Latest

Take a look through a selection of the latest articles on ChannelX

Register for Newsletter

Receive 5 newsletters per week

Gain access to all research

Be notified of upcoming events and webinars