Sainsbury’s launched SmartShop Pick & Go using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology in Holborn a couple of days ago. They have openly said they are working with Amazon, which was refreshing! Given the fact that most customers don’t care where the underlying tech comes from, just that it improves their day, I think it was a mature move by Sainsbury’s.
As you would expect the user story is the same as Amazon’s proposition. To enter the store, 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 customers will receive a receipt via email when they have left the store.
Clo Moriarty, Sainsbury’s Retail and Digital Director, said: “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, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sainsbury’s to enable their Holborn Circus checkout-free convenience store powered by our Just Walk Out technology. 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.”
