US e-commerce giant Amazon has announced its intention to expand the reach of its cashierless shopping technology, Just Walk Out, to more third-party stores from 2024 to 2025.

The company will launch more small-format third-party stores equipped with the technology in 2024 than in any previous year, planning to more than double the number of such stores. 

The move comes despite its recent decision to halt the use of the technology in its own Amazon Fresh grocery stores. 

The Just Walk Out system, currently operational in 140 stores across the US, UK, Australia and Canada, allows customers to enter a store by scanning an app, select their products and leave without the need to check out at a register.  

The technology not only increases sales and throughput but also optimises staffing requirements and enables stores to operate for extended hours - potentially around the clock without staff present overnight. 

Just Walk Out is particularly effective in stores with a curated selection of items, where customers typically buy only a few products.  

In response to reports claiming that Just Walk Out technology relies on human reviewers in India to monitor shoppers, Amazon clarified that its associates do not watch a live video of customers to generate receipts.  

The company emphasised that the process is fully automated by computer vision algorithms, and human reviewers are only used as is common with other AI systems that prioritise accuracy. 

Amazon noted that customers prefer its Dash Cart in larger grocery stores.  

The Dash Cart employs advanced computer vision technology, similar to Just Walk Out, to automatically calculate the cost of items as they are placed inside, streamlining the shopping experience in larger establishments. 

The expansion of the Dash Cart is already underway, with Amazon incorporating it into all Amazon Fresh stores and partnering with third-party grocers for wider adoption.

Customers also have a preference for the security and convenience of the palm recognition service Amazon One.  

The service, which enables customers to securely checkout with the palm of their hand, has been used more than eight million times.