Amazon to compete with Aldi and Lidl with ‘new check-out free London food store’
AMAZON is set to open a checkout-free food store in London in a move that would see it go head-to-head with discounters Aldi and Lidl.
reports how the US online retail giant is expected to open an Amazon Go site in Notting Hill, west London, later this year.
The high street venture for Amazon would come two years after it opened its first Amazon Go shop in Seattle, Washington, in 2018.
In the US, each store is made up of fresh food products and is completely cashier-less.
Instead of checkout workers, Amazon keeps track of what you're buying with a series of cameras, although employees are on the shop floor to assist customers and replenish stock.
Shoppers must first scan their unique barcode on their Amazon Go app to get into an Amazon Go store.
Customers are then monitored by the cameras, which keep an eye on what they’re putting in their basket.
Unless you put it back, you’ll be charged for it - that means you may also find yourself picking up the bill if your friend asks you to hand them an item.
Shoppers are then charged by the items they’re carrying as they leave the store - you won't need to hand over any cash as your account will automatically be billed.
You’ll get an email receipt from Amazon detailing everything you purchased once you’ve finished your shop.
Amazon declined to comment on reports of a London store when we asked, and it also wouldn't confirm any additional details about how a UK Amazon Go branch would operate.
The opening of a London store would put it in direct competition with the likes of discounters including Aldi and Lidl, which regularly top supermarket price wars for the cheapest food.
Reports suggest the online giant has 25 Amazon Go stores in the US, including in Seattle, Chicago, New York City and San Francisco, although again, it wouldn't confirm this when asked by The Sun.
On its official website, Amazon describes the chains as "the first grocery store to offer Just Walk Out Shopping - come in, take what you want, and just walk out".
Tesco first tested a completely cashless store in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, back in 2018.
The store proved successful with the supermarket opening another self-service checkout-only branch in London last month.
Sainsbury's also launched a till-free grocery shop in 2019 - in its branch, customers paid using their smartphones.
MORE ON MONEY
In more Amazon news, the online retailer is reportedly set to fire 3,200 drivers from at least eight companies by the end of April.
Plus, shoppers are raving about a "miracle" Amazon shampoo and conditioner which helps fight hair loss.
And this is how to tell if your Amazon Alexa is quietly recording PRIVATE conversations.