The internet giant Amazon is always trying out new business models. Now the group has opened a general store in Great Britain.
After groceries, the internet giant Amazon is also offering general goods in a stationary store in Europe for the first time.
The branch of the chain called 4-Star in a shopping center near the south-east English city of Dartford offers books, kitchen utensils, technical devices and toys, the group announced on Wednesday. Goods are sold that are rated with at least four out of five possible stars on the online platform – hence the name. For this purpose, ratings of individual users are also shown.
Amazon stores without cash registers
In its home market of the USA, Amazon has been operating 4-star stores since 2018. With this step, the internet giant is further expanding its stationary business in addition to its online presence.
Back in March, Amazon opened a supermarket without a cash register in London for the first time in Europe, in which cameras and sensors such as scales on the shelves register who is taking which goods. The price is automatically debited via the app after leaving the shop. There are now several of these stores, called Amazon Fresh, in the British capital. Other retail chains such as Aldi are also testing similar concepts in Great Britain.
People as 3D objects
The shop visitors have to download an app and hold their mobile phones to a barrier at the entrance, as “The New York Times” reported. From then on, the technology uses the cameras and sensors to register which items a buyer takes from the shelf and also packs it up. It is not necessary to hold them explicitly in the cameras.
The system works without face recognition, emphasizes Amazon. Instead, the system would perceive people as 3D objects. At the exit, the shop visitor again holds the mobile phone up to a barrier to check out.
Sources: , DPA
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
