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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 4, 2021 19:44:41 GMT
With no checkout queues, cos there is no checkouts, as it is all done by artificial intelligence, which is cameras and sensors. You have to scan your app on your smartphone to get in, who doesn’t have a smartphone these days? Then you just pick what you want and leave. One of the companies to supply Amazon is Booths, a supermarket chain from Lancashire and Yorkshire, they make Waitrose look basic, they’re that good. I am curious to give it a go, I have no issue with privacy with all those cameras, but sure others might? Getting rid of checkouts, adds valuable retail floor space as well and I wonder if other supermarkets will follow? On the downside this isn’t good for you if you are a checkout operator and will get rid of more unskilled jobs. The first stored has opened in Ealing and sure many will follow, Ealing is no good to me, but when I will get one near me, I give it a shot. www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/04/amazon-fresh-opens-first-till-less-grocery-store-in-uk |
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Post by talkingheads on Mar 4, 2021 20:01:13 GMT
I can see this becoming the norm. Why would businesses pay wages when they could use this method? Covid accelerated us towards Universal Basic Income, this will push us even closer to it.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 4, 2021 20:06:51 GMT
Next time you're at the checkout and you hear the beep think of the fun you could be having on Amazon's supermarket sweep.
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Post by The Matthew on Mar 4, 2021 20:28:29 GMT
I have my doubts. Artificial intelligence isn't anywhere near as good as its proponents like to claim, and if it makes a mistake (and it will make many mistakes) how easy is it going to be to resolve? This is Amazon, and in common with the other tech giants they tend to take an "our decision is final" approach to any accusation that they might have got it wrong. They have staff on site, but what if it's not until you get home that you find you've been charged for something you picked up and put back?
So I'll wait and see how reliable it is.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 4, 2021 21:05:54 GMT
who doesn’t have a smartphone these days? Quite a few people, especially older ones. |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Mar 5, 2021 9:01:28 GMT
Amazon taking over the world. Something in this QAnon theories somewhere I reckon
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Post by MrBraithwaite on Mar 5, 2021 10:39:13 GMT
If it was Amazon, Google or Apple taking over the world, I would give these QAnon theories some credit. But it is always Freemasons, the Windsors or other groups that were popular in conspiracy theories centuries ago. How boring.  |
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Post by Samwise on Mar 5, 2021 12:00:34 GMT
Something in this QAnon theories somewhere I reckon No |
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Post by The Matthew on Mar 5, 2021 12:24:25 GMT
If it was Amazon, Google or Apple taking over the world, I would give these QAnon theories some credit. But it is always Freemasons, the Windsors or other groups that were popular in conspiracy theories centuries ago. How boring. Nothing remotely that sane. Take a read through www.reddit.com/r/QAnonCasualties/ and despair, both at the stupidity of the beliefs and the tragic harm they're causing.
As for Amazon, the only problem I have with the company is that it treats its staff like crap. I try to use alternatives when I can.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2021 13:54:51 GMT
Imagine a merch stall without the queue! No till, just walk up, grab what you want and get charged when you walk out the theatre!
Gonna be chaos when little kids pick up stuff without their parents realising it, this time they're getting charged as the walk out instead of getting to the car, realising and driving off regardless.
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Post by Dr Tom on Mar 5, 2021 15:46:09 GMT
I only live a few miles away, so I plan to visit when the initial rush of interest has died down.
I like the idea of this. The concept is well established in the US. But I am something of a bargain shopper and I expect this to be priced against me (at the convenience end of the market).
I'm really not sure how much this concept saves on staff costs. From the reports I've read, there still seems to a team explaining things, helping people to download and scan the app, stocking shelves etc. But it will certainly save money on shoplifted goods (you give your payment details on arrival, so you'll be charged if you try and slip something into a pocket and leave with it) and provide Amazon with even more data to use about our shopping habits (not that they don't have plenty already).
But if it gets rid of the "unexpected item in bagging area" message and all the waiting around that leads to, I'm all for it.
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Post by lynette on Mar 6, 2021 18:28:14 GMT
Bet some daft coves have a go at shoplifting for the hell of it. But sounds like the way forward to me. Follows on from just the tap of a card and all the stored details we have on our computers. Will scare the conspiracists no doubt.
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Post by talkingheads on Mar 6, 2021 18:36:46 GMT
Bet some daft coves have a go at shoplifting for the hell of it. But sounds like the way forward to me. Follows on from just the tap of a card and all the stored details we have on our computers. Will scare the conspiracists no doubt. Agreed. I haven't used cash in a year and haven't missed it. Anywhere that doesn't take card seemas archaic these days. Give it a few years and we'll be in or very near to a cashless society. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 6, 2021 22:39:05 GMT
You need the app, with a payment method registered to that app. I wouldn’t think you would be allowed in this new Amazon store just to browse, without the app.
Also Amazon and I do agree they don’t treat their staff the best. But they would have tested all the different variations people would use not to pay, they’re not stupid, it maybe the future in other supermarkets too, with supermarkets getting rid of speciality counters, how much lucrative floor space this opens up to sell other goods, in the same way removal of checkouts will give more lucrative floor space too.
I know someone who works in a store with self checkouts and shoplifting on them is rife, especially greeting cards and smoked salmon apparently. B&Q have got rid of self checkout for this reason.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2021 9:47:06 GMT
You need the app, with a payment method registered to that app. I wouldn’t think you would be allowed in this new Amazon store just to browse, without the app. Also Amazon and I do agree they don’t treat their staff the best. But they would have tested all the different variations people would use not to pay, they’re not stupid, it maybe the future in other supermarkets too, with supermarkets getting rid of speciality counters, how much lucrative floor space this opens up to sell other goods, in the same way removal of checkouts will give more lucrative floor space too. I know someone who works in a store with self checkouts and shoplifting on them is rife, especially greeting cards and smoked salmon apparently. B&Q have got rid of self checkout for this reason.I am surprised Supermarkets have been so trustworthy in introducing scan and shop for this reason, which is basically an open invitation to put what you want in your bag and walk out. I love the ease of it, especially where shelf prices are missing and seeing the running total. But of the 50 times (at a guess) I've used it, I've had a random bag check once. Even then, the guy just moved a few things on the top of the bag and let me go. The stock loss there must be incredible. That said, I wouldn't have the nerve to not scan anything because the one time I do I know I'll get bag checked and rumbled. |
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Post by theatreian on Mar 7, 2021 10:08:28 GMT
Has anyone been to this yet?
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Post by TallPaul on Mar 7, 2021 10:20:39 GMT
Anyone remember Safeway? It introduced self-scanning as long ago as the last millennium. I'm the last to try anything new, but even I gave it a a go. I could often be seen walking around the Scarborough store with my wand in my hand! 😉 This article dates from April 1995. Maybe we've become less honest, or more canny, but back then 'mistakes' tended to be in the shop's favour. www.marketingweek.com/shelf-service-at-safeway/ |
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Post by The Matthew on Mar 7, 2021 10:40:47 GMT
Here's a video about one of the US stores (from three years ago so presumably some things will have changed by now, but it gives a general idea of the experience):
(Yes, he says tampons and they're pads. Yes, he did clear it with Amazon.)
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Post by londonpostie on Mar 7, 2021 11:40:36 GMT
Not sure about the 'artificial intelligence' aspect; it's just scanning in a different way, isn't it?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2021 12:08:00 GMT
Not sure about the 'artificial intelligence' aspect; it's just scanning in a different way, isn't it? Did you read the article? You scan your app on the way in and that's it. No other barcodes are scanned. AI* tracks your movement around the store and shelves detect when a product is removed, charging it to your account if you leave the store with that product. *AI being computers that process the information as opposed to humans. |
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Post by NeilVHughes on Mar 7, 2021 12:30:16 GMT
It is scanning in a different way.
It scans the persons actions in relation to the physical space, as in all AI it moves from the historical focus on the item to the person.
This is the ethical and moral conundrum to the freedom tech provides, we become the commodity and trade our anonymity for the perceived freedom.
By shopping in this way you give away the option of anonymity, paying in cash, but in reality we have been doing it for years when we use loyalty cards. (believe shops are unable to determine the shopper from their debit card)
This brings retail shopping in line with internet shopping where the retailers have direct access to our purchasing preferences.
Is it a price worth paying? our choice for now but for how long.
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 15, 2021 14:36:14 GMT
And... found out today that a new Amazon Fresh store had opened up down the road in White City (the third in London), so I paid it a visit.
No hiccups. I put some items in my bag and left (once the staff had managed to convince the guy blocking the exit he didn't need to "pay"). Came home, checked my Amazon account and everything is correctly listed and charged.
No email receipt (yet).
It is a large (by convenience store size) shop, very light and open. Plenty of space in the aisles. Amazon have developed a lot of their own brand food, supplemented with some name brand and Morrisons products).
To check in, you generate a QR code on your phone and scan it to open a gate. The option is a little hidden away, but it's easy.
A large selection of ready meals, including a good amount of plant based and vegetarian options. A huge amount of fresh food, sandwiches, salads, croissants, fruit and the like. A coffee machine. One security guard by the alcohol, who I presume is just there to stop the underage, as you can't "steal" it.
There were only about three people shopping, compared to ten or so staff, so I actually found it a bit disconcerting, as if you're always being watched. And that's not just by the cameras they have concealed to track what you buy.
This is rather hidden away between Wood Lane and White City tube stations and behind Westfield London, but it's underneath where a lot of expensive apartments are being constructed, so there will be a market there. It's not somewhere you would walk past and spot if you weren't looking for it.
The prices weren't unreasonable for a convenience store, with a few offers about, but they're still more than I'd usually choose to pay so I won't be a regular visitor. It's fine to top up a "big shop" with and much more pleasant than the cramped Tesco Express nearby. What I'm less keen on is the huge amount of food waste that could happen. The lunch type food looked like it had barely been touched. No idea if they reduce it later in the day but I hope there's a plan.
I now have Amazon brand milk in my fridge. And I will get to eat an Amazon brand Jackfruit Biryani. Yes, Amazon really is taking over.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 15, 2021 17:25:35 GMT
I understand they’re going to open another one in Islington.
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Post by joem on Apr 16, 2021 16:43:30 GMT
Not a chance in a billion I will give any of my cash to the Evil Empire.
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