Amazon has today opened its sixth hi-tech ‘Fresh’ convenience store in the UK.
The latest ‘just walk out’ Amazon Fresh outlet is located on Kingsland High Street in Dalston.
It joins other London sites in Camden, Canary Wharf, White City and Wembley Park that have opened in recent months. They followed the launch of the online retailer’s first physical grocery store outside North America in Ealing in March.
The latest 2,500 sq. ft. site features the same cutting-edge sensor and camera technology that allows shoppers to simply place items in their bag and then be automatically billed when they leave.
The range includes both branded goods and those from its own-label range, ‘by Amazon’. The store offers fresh meat and produce, and everyday grocery essentials. There is also a range of hot food prepared throughout the day for on-the-go meals.
Amazon has previously said it plans to open more of the hi-tech grocery stores in heavy footfall areas across London and look at other city centre locations. The retailer said today: “We are excited by customer reactions thus far and look forward to opening more stores in the greater London area.”
Analysts have suggested that the online giant will want up to 30 outlets in the first phase of its expansion in the UK, before deciding on a wider roll-out.
NAM Implications:
- Inevitable onward march…
- Key is anticipating the eventual saturation point in the UK.
- Given the traffic comes to them (no fulfilment burden), a virtually labour-free unit and a frictionless exchange.
- What do you think, as you look skywards for a limit?
