Sainsbury’s Ditches Just Walk Out Technology in Checkout-Free Store

Interior view of a busy grocery store with shoppers. Interior view of a busy grocery store with shoppers.

Sainsbury’s has officially removed Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ technology from its checkout-free store located in Holborn, London. This decision marks a significant shift in the supermarket’s approach to technology in retail, as the store now operates with traditional customer kiosks and self-checkouts.

Key Takeaways

  • Sainsbury’s has replaced the ‘Just Walk Out’ technology with customer kiosks and self-checkouts.
  • The Holborn store was the first to implement this technology in the UK, launched in November 2021.
  • The move reflects a broader trend of diminishing demand for checkout-free technology in grocery retail.

Background of the Just Walk Out Technology

Sainsbury’s launched its checkout-free store in November 2021, shortly after Tesco introduced its own version. The ‘Just Walk Out’ technology allowed customers to enter the store using a QR code, select items, and leave without going through a traditional checkout process. This innovative approach was powered by a network of cameras and sensors that tracked customer movements and purchases.

However, the technology has not gained the expected traction among consumers. A study revealed that only 13% of shoppers have utilized checkout-free technology, compared to 40% who have used self-scanning options.

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Reasons for the Change

Sainsbury’s decision to strip out the ‘Just Walk Out’ technology comes amid a reevaluation of its effectiveness. The supermarket’s spokesperson confirmed that the SmartShop Pick & Go service is no longer available at the Holborn location. Instead, customers will now use a more traditional shopping experience with kiosks and self-checkouts.

The supermarket continues to explore other technological advancements in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance customer convenience in the future.

The removal of the ‘Just Walk Out’ technology aligns with a broader trend in the grocery sector. While Tesco has successfully opened multiple GetGo stores, they still offer a hybrid format that includes traditional checkouts. Similarly, Aldi has reported success with its Shop & Go concept but is focusing on expanding self-checkout options instead.

Morrisons has also experimented with checkout-free technology but has limited its trials to staff-only locations.

Conclusion

The shift away from the ‘Just Walk Out’ technology at Sainsbury’s highlights the challenges of implementing advanced retail technologies in a grocery setting. As consumer preferences evolve, supermarkets are adapting by investing in more familiar and user-friendly shopping experiences. Sainsbury’s continues to prioritize customer convenience while exploring new technological solutions for the future.

Sources

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