Amazon plans to expand its cashless Go store format

The retailer is eyeing prospective locations in Los Angeles and its native Seattle, where its first Amazon Go store was launched in December 2016.

According to Recode, the online giant has identified at least three locations in Seattle.

Amazon is also understood to be in talks with US property development billionaire Rick Caruso about bringing its automatic-payment-enabled grocery store format to The Grove – a 600,000 sq ft outdoor shopping centre in Los Angeles.

It is not yet clear whether the retailer has plans to open Amazon Go stores in other US cities this year – although its expansion in Seattle and Los Angeles follows the pattern of previous Amazon roll-outs.

The online goliath first expanded its grocery delivery service, Amazon Fresh, to Los Angeles after developing it in Seattle over a five-year period. It also reportedly prepared its new shipping service, which will see the business square up to UPS and Fed Ex, in the city.

Amazon’s first Go store was opened to the public last month after an extended incubation period, during which it was only open to the firm’s staff.

The store format allows shoppers to pick up items they wish to buy while in-store and have the purchases charged directly to their Amazon account when they leave, without needing to queue to pay at a till.