🛒 Amazon shutters Go stores in NYC
Last week, Amazon closed three of its Go cashierless convenience stores in New York City. As of October 2024, this leaves only 17 Amazon Go stores still operating across the U.S. These Go stores are known for using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, which allows customers to pick up items and leave without needing to check out. AI tracks their purchases. While some stores are closing, Amazon did open a new location in Washington state recently.
📉 Scaling back Just Walk Out tech
Since 2023, Amazon has been reducing its cashierless Go store footprint, cutting the number of storefronts by nearly half. This reflects a broader scaling back of its cashierless tech efforts. Earlier in 2024, Amazon pulled its Just Walk Out tech from larger grocery stores, citing plans to focus on smaller, grab-and-go-style stores. However, the closures of some Go stores show that Amazon may be rethinking this approach even for its smaller shops.
🛠 Licensing the tech to others
Despite downsizing its Go store footprint, Amazon continues to license its Just Walk Out technology to other convenience stores. The tech has been adopted by third-party retailers who want to streamline the checkout process for their customers. Amazon has stated it remains committed to the Go format and sees Just Walk Out technology as a key asset for the future of retail, even if it’s focusing more on third-party use than its own stores.
📊 The future of Go stores
While Amazon remains committed to cashierless tech, the closures raise questions about the long-term future of the Go store format. By opening a new store in Washington, Amazon shows it hasn’t given up entirely, but it’s clear the company is evaluating where the Go model works best. "We’re still focused on Just Walk Out, but we’re adapting to meet market demand," said an Amazon spokesperson.
Will Amazon’s cashierless stores survive long-term?
