Sainsbury's opens SmartShop Pick & Go store at Holborn Circus, London
Earlier this month, we reported that Sainsbury’s was set to open a cashierless store in London during late November, using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
This, we noted at the time, would make it the first customer outside the US for the tech that powers Amazon Go and Fresh stores.
Said SmartShop Pick & Go store opens to the public this week, after being tested out by Sainsbury’s staff members.
To enter, customers scan a QR code using their SmartShop app which is linked to a credit or debit card.
Just Walk Out technology automatically adds anything the customer takes off the shelf to their virtual cart and removes anything they put back on the shelf.
The customer leaves the store by scanning the QR code to exit through the store’s automatic gates. Their linked card will be charged for the items they pick and they will then receive a receipt via email.
Staff members will be on hand in the store to assist customers and keep shelves stocked.
Sainsbury’s says that the Holborn store was selected to use Just Walk Out technology as it is “primarily focused on offering on-the-go food and drink to busy local workers who want to complete their shopping as quickly as possible”.
Clo Moriarty, Sainsbury’s Retail and Digital Director, says: “We are always looking at new ways to make shopping easy and convenient for our customers.”
“We are excited about launching SmartShop Pick & Go, which offers contactless, checkout-free shopping to our customers and are looking forward to hearing their feedback.”
Dilip Kumar, Amazon’s Vice President of Physical Retail and Technology, comments: “We’re excited to bring Just Walk Out technology to our first customer internationally with Sainsbury’s.”
“With no tills, no checkout lanes, and no self-service scanners, we can’t wait to hear how busy Londoners enjoy the experience.”
It’s all happening in Holborn
Amazon last week opened an Amazon Fresh store at Holborn Chancery Lane, just a short walk from the aforementioned Sainsbury’s initiative.
This is in close proximity to Tesco’s first ever high street checkout-free offering.
Named GetGo, this made its debut last month.
Tesco has deployed its Trigo powered version of the Just Walk Out offering at Holborn.
Tapping AI and computer vision technology, the solution enables shoppers to walk into a store, check in via a QR code, select items for purchase and, erm, just walk out.
Kevin Tindall, Managing Director at Tesco Convenience, said last month: "We are constantly looking for ways to improve the shopping experience and our latest innovation offers a seamless checkout for customers on the go, helping them to save a bit more time.”
"This is currently just a one store trial, but we're looking forward to seeing how our customers respond."
