More Cashierless Amazon Go Stores Are Coming This Year

Get the Full StoryAmazon is expanding its cashierless convenience store concept Amazon Go. The e-commerce giant plans to open up to six more artificial intelligence powered stores this year. Recode first reported the news Thursday.

Elaine Thompson AP

Some of the new stores are likely to open in Seattle, where the first Amazon Go is based, and in Los Angeles, sources familiar with the matter told Recode. It’s unclear if Amazon is considering other cities for the new stores.According to the report, Amazon has held serious talks with real estate developer Rick Caruso about building a Go store in LA's the Grove, a 600,000-square-foot high-end shopping plaza.Amazon did not immediately respond to an inquiry from BuzzFeed News.

After a highly publicized delay, Amazon's first Go store opened in January to much excitement.

Elaine Thompson AP

The store doesn't have any cashiers. Instead, customers who have an Amazon login download the Amazon Go app and scan a QR code to go through a turnstile at the store.Inside the store, a system of computer vision, AI, and other sensors detect each item shoppers take off or place back on shelves. Customers are billed once they leave the store. If they aren’t satisfied with a purchase, shoppers can simply hit a “refund” button.

Amazon Go has been hailed as the store of the future. But it also has raised concerns about the tech giant building out physical shops that don't require many workers.

Elaine Thompson AP

In the first Amazon Go store in Seattle, there are workers who prepare fresh food and meals in an open kitchen visible to shoppers. And there is a store greeter near the entrance and a worker who checks customer IDs near the beer and wine selection.About 3.5 million people work as cashiers in gas stations, grocery stores, and other general merchandise stores, according to the Bureau of Labor.

LINK: Amazon s Cashier-Less Grocery Store Officially Opens To The Public Today

LINK: People Waited In Long Lines To Try Amazon Go, A Store Built On The Idea Of Not Having To Wait In Line

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