Amazon is synonymous in the retail industry with eye-catching innovations, but its latest foray into bricks-and-mortar has set a new precedent.
The online behemoth’s grocery store, which will allow shoppers to pick up and pay for items without so much as a scan at a self-pay check out, resembles a food shop from a sci-fi film.
The etail giant said it has used “computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning” to create the technology that allows this payment method to be possible.
Amazon will not open it’s first Go store to the public until next year.
However, the etailer’s reputation for disruption precedes it, so the Big Four will no doubt be looking at how – and indeed, if – they can respond to this futuristic in-store model in their own outlets.
Meanwhile, House of Fraser’s planned new distribution hub in Peterborough will not see the light of day, we revealed.
And while the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor recorded purchases edging up in November, Black Friday did not provide the windfall that many retailers may have anticipated, despite strong online sales.
Quote of the day
“We have developed a new five-year plan. As part of that, we reviewed our distribution and warehouse requirements, and working with external consultants, identified significant potential for internal efficiencies in our existing business, meaning we do not need a new distribution hub at this time”
Nigel Oddy, outgoing chief executive of House of Fraser on its move to shelve plans for a new Peterborough warehouse
Today in numbers
-2.3%
The fall in fashion sales at John Lewis last week
1,800 sq ft
The size of Amazon’s Go store in Seattle
Tomorrow’s agenda
There are no major trading updates expected tomorrow, but keep an eye out for British Fashion Council chief executive and Retail Week guest editor Caroline Rush’s thoughts on the state of play in the fashion sector.
Grace Bowden, junior reporter
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