Coffee chain Starbucks has opened its first outlet that uses Amazon’s ‘just walk out’ technology that was developed for its grocery stores.
At the store located on the Upper East Side of New York City, customers that have ordered ahead via the Starbucks app can collect their coffee from a counter near the door.
However, they can also use their Amazon app or credit card to enter the rest of the store to choose from a range of Starbucks food products and Amazon’s own lines such as sushi, sandwiches, and snacks. Cameras and shelf sensors detect what customers have picked up. They are then automatically charged when they leave the store.
Starbucks and Amazon plan to open at least two more US locations together in 2022.
“The new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go is designed to provide our customers with an experience that delivers convenience and connection in an effortless way,” said Katie Young, senior vice president of global growth and development at Starbucks.
“Our goal with this new store concept is to give our customers the ability to choose which experience is right for them as they go through their day, whether it is utilising the Starbucks and Amazon apps to purchase food and beverages on the go, or deciding to stay in the lounge for the traditional third place experience Starbucks is known for.”
Dilip Kumar, VP of physical retail and technology at Amazon, added: “Customers have enjoyed the effortless shopping experience enabled by our Just Walk Out technology at Amazon Go where they can simply come in, grab something delicious to eat or drink, and just leave and carry on with their day without having to wait in line to pay.
“We’re excited to now share Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out Shopping experience and curated assortment of fresh-prepared food items and beverages with even more customers at this Starbucks Pickup location in New York City, and can’t wait to hear how customers like it.”
In recent years, Amazon has worked to commercialise its checkout-free technology. It can now be found in a handful of convenience stores in US airports, convention centres and stadiums.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Sainsbury’s is set to launch a checkout-free store using Amazon’s technology.
