Whole Foods to Debut Just Walk Out Technology in D.C., Calif.

While Whole Foods lovers will have to wait a little longer for their Glover Park store to reopen, there is excitement building that it is one of first that will use Just Walk Out technology for check out.

“We are excited to announce that Whole Foods Market will open two stores featuring Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology as an option for customers. The stores, one in Washington, D.C.’s Glover Park neighborhood and one in Sherman Oaks, California, are expected to open next year,” said Jamie Forrest of Whole Foods Market in a statement this week. “Both stores will offer the high-quality, natural and organic products and locally sourced options that are found in all Whole Foods Market locations – but customers will have an option to skip the checkout line using Just Walk Out technology.”

Here’s how it works, according to Whole Foods: “Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is made possible by a combination of computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning—similar to what you’d find in self-driving cars—and adds convenience to customers’ grocery shopping experience by giving them the option to come in, pick up what they want, and skip the checkout when they’re done.

“Anyone will be able to shop at these Whole Foods Market stores using self-checkout – customers do not need to be Amazon Prime members or have an Amazon account. To skip the checkout with Just Walk Out Shopping, customers can enter these stores in three ways: scan the QR code in the Whole Foods Market or Amazon app, insert a credit or debit card linked to their Amazon account, or hover their palm using Amazon One. Enrollment in Amazon One takes less than a minute, and after inserting a credit card linked to an Amazon account, customers can enter and pay at the store by hovering a palm over the Amazon One device. Customers who want to use cash, prepaid cards, Whole Foods Market gift cards, EBT, or eWic can use the self-checkout lanes.

“Once inside, customers can shop like normal. Anything they take off the shelf is automatically added to their virtual cart, and anything they put back on the shelf comes out of their virtual cart. At the end of their trip, customers simply scan or insert their entry method again to exit. Whole Foods Market Team Members will be available at the entryways and exits to help customers as they enter and exit the stores, and they will be found throughout the stores to assist customers during their shopping trips.

“After customers leave the store, those who use the Just Walk Out experience will receive a digital receipt, which will be available in the Whole Foods Market app. Customers who use self-checkout will receive a paper receipt.”

“We’ve heard from customers how much they appreciate the checkout-free shopping experience that Just Walk Out technology offers at both Amazon’s stores and other retailers’ stores,” said Dilip Kumar, vice president, Physical Retail and Technology at Amazon. “I’m excited to see how Whole Foods Market customers enjoy the fast, effortless Just Walk Out Shopping experience that allows them to skip the checkout line at the Glover Park and Sherman Oaks stores when they open.”

The Whole Foods Market at 2323 Wisconsin Ave. NW will reopen next year with a 21,500 square foot sales floor, according to the company.

tagsAmazonDilip KumarGlover ParkJamie ForrestJohn Mackeyno-touch check-outWhole Foods Market

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