Amazon Go

Amazon Go

Amazon Go was a chain of special stores in the United States and the United Kingdom, run by the online retailer Amazon. These stores were different because they were cashierless. This means customers could take their items and leave without paying at a checkout counter. Instead, customers used an app on their phones to enter the store and scan the items they picked up. When they left, the app would automatically charge their account.

The idea for Amazon Go started from a team of Amazon executives. They built a mock supermarket in Seattle to test the technology. The first Amazon Go store opened for employees on December 5, 2016, and for the public on January 22, 2018. These stores sold prepared foods, meal kits, groceries, and liquor. A bigger version called Amazon Go Grocery opened in Seattle in 2020.

In 2026, Amazon decided to close all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores. The company announced this change on January 27, 2026, and all stores closed by February 1, 2026. Amazon planned to focus instead on growing its Whole Foods business.

Technology and implementation

Amazon Go stores used special technology like cameras, smart sensors, and software to let customers shop without needing a cashier. You would use a phone app to show a special code when you entered the store. The store could track the items you picked up and add them to a list on your phone. When you left, the bill would appear on your phone.

The stores also used tools to keep track of items on the shelves and make sure everything was counted correctly. This helped make shopping faster and easier for everyone.

Locations

As of March 2024, there were 22 Amazon Go stores in the United States and 20 in the United Kingdom.

Amazon Go's special way of shopping, called "Just Walk Out", is also used in other stores and places like airports and sports venues. This lets people grab what they need and leave without stopping at a checkout counter.

Stores

Amazon Go was a chain of special convenience stores created by Amazon. These stores were unique because customers could shop without needing to wait in line at a cash register. They could simply take their items and leave, with the payment processed automatically through an app on their phone.

The very first Amazon Go store opened in Seattle in January 2018, after a testing period for Amazon employees. It was a small store, about the size of a typical corner shop. Over time, Amazon opened more stores in places like Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and New York City. Some of these stores were larger, offering more items, including fresh food and baked goods.

However, in 2023, Amazon announced the closure of several Amazon Go stores in Seattle, New York City, and San Francisco. Later, in 2024, Amazon planned to use a new system called Dash Carts in its Fresh stores to improve shopping experiences.