Amazon Go, the brick and mortar supermarkets of the future, took everyone by surprise when it was first unveiled in December last year. It was based on the concept of convenience shopping, which didn’t require standing in queues, waiting for checkout or paying with cash. This store operates using machine learning and computer vision technologies. Thus, the store might require a maximum of 10 human employees at any given location, reports New York Post.
The report suggests that Amazon is currently scouting locations for its automated supermarkets (psst..London is a probable option). It plans to build such facilities that span across an area of anywhere between 10,000 to 40,000 square feet. These massive stores will house as many as 4,000 products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, canned food, brewed drinks, and other grab-it-and-go stuff.
But, sources aware of the development suggest that the highlight of Amazon Go stores would be the number of humans employed to keep the day-to-day operations afloat. The number of the same comes out to be around ten human employees during any given shift. But, Amazon is planning to use not more than six human employees during a shift but it could drop down to as low as three as well. Most operations will be relegated to automated robots and high-tech software technologies.
Further, the report also details the different tasks that will require the appointment of a human staff member on a daily basis. One employee could be appointed to restock shelves, whereas the manager’s duties would include guest services i.e signing up users for the ‘Amazon Fresh’ grocery delivery. It will most likely be a two-storey operation, says New York Post.
An Amazon Go location would also need at least two employees to support customers at the drive-thru window, while two other employees would aid robotic grocery-bagging machines — which deliver packed items through a conveyer belt. This adds up to a total of six but it can be trimmed and expanded upon depending on the size, operation, and time of day. This corroborates a top and bottom line for the number of employees required to keep Amazon Go stores operational without hiccups.
The primary goal behind the creation of a future store by automating daily operations of a departmental store is to cut down on labor costs. It is also aimed at removing unnecessary human interaction and add to the convenience of user’s physical shopping experience. The stores, actually one based in Seattle, is currently working on a ‘walk-out technology’ that removes the cashier from the equation as well.You’ll just pick up the necessary items, scanners will track your order, and you can walk out without any intervention. The payment will be deducted directly from the Amazon account you scanned while entering the Amazon Go premises.
Though the company had previously mentioned that they’ll be covering multiple retail locations with different store sizes and formats but it is now denying the existence of the two-storey model. An Amazon spokesperson has said that they “have no plans to build such a store and their story is incorrect.” But, we can never be too sure and will have to wait for an official opening of one of these futuristic stores.
