Amazon Abandons ‘Just Walk Out’ Checkout System At Its Supermarkets

Amazon continues to evolve its supermarket presence, and the latest change is to remove the ‘Just Walk Out’ system completely, based on shopper feedback and recent layoffs.

The e-commerce company first introduced the Just Walk Out technology in 2016. As a new, fresh way to shop for groceries, Amazon Prime members would scan their QR code to get into the Amazon Go Grocery store, grab what they need, and leave without having to wait in line or use a credit card.

While not seemingly known to many, Just Walk Out actually depended on over 1,000 Amazon employees who watched and labeled videos to ensure precise checkouts. Using this system of cameras and sensors, Amazon was able to track shoppers’ groceries, and they would later receive their bill through their Amazon account.

Fast forward to 2024, and American shoppers are very budget-conscious, feeling uneasy about receiving their bill hours after leaving the store. Just like an online shopping cart, shoppers prefer to see their spending in real time. And can you blame them? Now, Americans spend 11.3% of their income on food.

Given this change in shopping habits, Amazon is upgrading the stores in the U.S. that have the Just Walk Out system with the Amazon Dash Cart. The Dash Cart allows shoppers to scan items as they go using a scanner on their shopping cart, therefore tracking their bill as they shop. And as for the over 1,000 employees who were watching all the videos for accuracy, they were relocated off-site, monitoring shoppers remotely.