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[TheShadowLord]

So for those who live in the area, let us know how was the experience if you do go to one of Amazon's store. I hope Amazon opens up one in Boston.
https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/17/amazons-cashier-free-go-store-opens-in-chicago/

Now that Amazon's proven the efficacy of Go with a trio of Seattle locations, the retail giant is starting to open up its cashier-free Go stores at a steady clip. New York and San Francisco are already on the horizon, and the company just sneakily launched a new store in Chicago.

An Amazon ChicaGo, as it were.

Opening this week at 113 S Franklin St, the fourth Go store is the first to open outside of Amazon's hometown. It's also one of six expected to launch this year. Venture Beat notes that the store is keeping the fairly conventional weekday hours of 7AM to 8PM, though unlike other two of the other locations, it will be closed over the weekend.

As for what's being offered up, it's fairly standard convenience store fare, including breakfast, lunch and dinner meal kits and hot food.

For now, the locations largely thrive on the novelty of providing limited human interaction. Instead of the standard cashier model, the store relies on camera tracking and charges shoppers' accounts as they walk out the door, product in tow. The next step for Amazon is demonstrating how effectively the model can be scaled.

The actual role the company plans to play in the brick and mortar retail model, however, remains to be seen.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Welp, there you go.

Getting rid of workers sounds like something The Lefties in Chicago would be against...

Then again, most of Chicago's hotels are currently striking due to terrible pay, so there's that.

EDIT: edited out something that would be better-suited for the Politics board.

 

[TheShadowLord]

AmazonGo stores still have workers though, just not cashiers. Plus they didn't get rid of workers(aka cashiers) if there were none, to begin with.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

AmazonGo stores still have workers though, just not cashiers. Plus they didn't get rid of workers(aka cashiers) if there were none, to begin with.

Fair enough. It just seems like the end for yet another entry-level segment of the job market. They've already installed these things in a lot of grocery-stores, too, so it's not just Amazon. Seems a shame to take out the human element from another part of our lives.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Fair enough. It just seems like the end for yet another entry-level segment of the job market. They've already installed these things in a lot of grocery-stores, too, so it's not just Amazon. Seems a shame to take out the human element from another part of our lives.

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

 

[dionysus]

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

The optimal profit staffing level for a store is to have continuously busy cashiers, thus lines. I am not going to turn my nose up at saving 5 minutes of my time if they offer it.

 

[DeepEnigma]

The optimal profit staffing level for a store is to have continuously busy cashiers, thus lines. I am not going to turn my nose up at saving 5 minutes of my time if they offer it.

You do you. I will take the extra 5 minutes if it means people still have a job.

On a side note, every store I shop at I never have to wait in a line, where otherwise those slow clunky systems can be more cumbersome and time consuming than those line instances. I am sure it varies on area of living as well however.

 

[7echnicolor]

Fair enough. It just seems like the end for yet another entry-level segment of the job market. They've already installed these things in a lot of grocery-stores, too, so it's not just Amazon. Seems a shame to take out the human element from another part of our lives.

You'll never see stuff like this implemented into big local chains like Jewel or Mariano's. At least not anytime in the near future.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

You'll never see stuff like this implemented into big local chains like Jewel or Mariano's. At least not anytime in the near future.

I'm not familiar with those. In my area all of the Wal Mart / Target competitors use the self-checkout robot lanes. Only the smaller grocers that can't afford the machines are still using a lot of cashiers.

 

[TheShadowLord]

You do you. I will take the extra 5 minutes if it means people still have a job.

On a side note, every store I shop at I never have to wait in a line, where otherwise those slow clunky systems can be more cumbersome and time consuming than those line instances. I am sure it varies on area of living as well however.

You can relocate people to do other jobs. For example, if McDonald's had zero cashiers nationwide starting from next year, they could train some of those people to do other jobs. Like making burgers or doing delivery.

Technology gets better. I don't live in a great location(not bad but not good since there is an opioid problem here) and when target first used self-checkouts, I always get "unexpected item in the bagging area. ". Now the error no longer happens.

But amazon cashier-free store is different since not only it does not have cashier it also doesn't have self-checkout lanes either. Watch below to learn more.

 

[DeepEnigma]

You can relocate people to do other jobs. For example, if McDonald's had zero cashiers nationwide starting from next year, they could train some of those people to do other jobs. Like making burgers or doing delivery.

Technology gets better. I don't live in a great location(not bad but not good since there is an opioid problem here) and when target first used self-checkouts, I always get "unexpected item in the bagging area. ". Now the error no longer happens.

But amazon cashier-free store is different since not only it does not have cashier it also doesn't have self-checkout lanes either. Watch below to learn more.

Are they really going to relocate people to other jobs though? A lot of these corporations are doing this to eliminate that part of their overhead, not add to it.

 

[Vicetrailia]

Are they really going to relocate people to other jobs though? A lot of these corporations are doing this to eliminate that part of their overhead, not add to it.

There are multi factors:

- overhead
- mindless jobs gone, better appropriate talent.
- protect against labor shortages (like now where the economy is better so people don't want those jobs)
- improved services if applicable
- making a less safe job safer

 

[7echnicolor]

I'm not familiar with those. In my area all of the Wal Mart / Target competitors use the self-checkout robot lanes. Only the smaller grocers that can't afford the machines are still using a lot of cashiers.

They're the two biggest grocers in Chicago. They used self-checkout for a time but have recently reverted to just having cashiers at checkout. There aren't any Wal-Marts or Targets in the city that are direct competitors to them. There aren't any real Wal-Marts in Chicago, and while the Target stores have grocery sections now, they're still more for household items than food.

 

[John Day]

Here in PR, my local Sam's Club changed half the cashiers into self-checkout, no cash. I don't know how much that'll last here.

The Home Depots here have them, and almost always they require an employee to intervene, cause they never get to scan codes properly.

 

[Discusguy]

Can't wait for Crook County and Illinois to raise taxes again.

I won't be using Amazon Go. I rarely use amazon as it is. I retail store first and online shopping second.

 

[take_it_easy]

Finally, I hate cashiers. Whole Foods is the worst about it. Every time they comment on something I've bought and how they love it. Its BS

 

[Kenpachii]

So they changed the waiting line from the end to the start of the shopping experience. Not much progress really at the end for people.

It feels kinda completely pointless.

Grocery stores here already have websites where you can order for free your products and get it delivered the next day towards your home. Why even bother going there? Seems like some half arsed step. Massive warehouses with home delivery is already the reality and honestly the only future. This looks like a step backwards and actually catering towards older people that probably won't care for it in the slightest.

Also this system will be abused to no end. They had the same type of deal in ikea where people could scan there own shit and pay on a credit card directly or with your mobile phone. didn't took long before security came in to check if people actually did that. Which made it complete pointless and even more annoying for consumers. U saw people replace stickers, remove stickers, or simple print there own stickers and fool the system in thinking its something completely different.

 

[womfalcs3]

How do they not have milk? Half the time, that'd be the reason I visit the grocery store.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

I love self check outs. I don't have to talk to other people and its usually not full like the rest of the lines full of lazy dumb ass people.

 

[kingwingin]

If you are the person who's getting replaced by a machine, got to school and become the person that designs/repairs that machine.

 

[Reptars Revenge]

Love the ones in Seattle so cheap. Lines will die down like the ones up there.

 

[Nobody_Important]

I love the concept. It would make food shopping infinitely less tedious. My main concern is how sustainable it is and how well it's executed. Thoroughly looking forward to the results.

 

[Iaterain]

Mom: Sonny, go to Amazon Go grocery store and buy some bread and milk! Like we always do in our old-fashion way!
Son: I just did it. In Google Robo GO Store!
Mom: Wow!

 

[Coolio McAwesome]

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

I used to feel the same, but I eventually had to wave the white flag. I swear they put the slowest cashiers in the express lanes to ensure that the self checkout will always be the fastest option. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Fair enough. It just seems like the end for yet another entry-level segment of the job market. They've already installed these things in a lot of grocery-stores, too, so it's not just Amazon. Seems a shame to take out the human element from another part of our lives.

If you think it is a shame then you need to shop somewhere that features those humans and passes along that increase in operating costs to you. I'm pretty sure anywhere you'll find one of these shops you'll find human-staffed competitors relatively nearby---at least in urban terms.

Vending machines have been around forever, I don't see this being functionally different.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

If you think it is a shame then you need to shop somewhere that features those humans and passes along that increase in operating costs to you. I'm pretty sure anywhere you'll find one of these shops you'll find human-staffed competitors relatively nearby---at least in urban terms.

Vending machines have been around forever, I don't see this being functionally different.

I do.

 

[Super Mario]

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

I normally agree with you on things, but this one I don't. When I go to my local Walmart, which I frequent for small amounts of items, from wait time in line, to end of checkout takes me under 2 minutes. That doesn't even come close in the "express checkout".

For those who would rather waste their time standing in a long line because they don't have to go through the horror of scanning products and putting them in a bag, then by all means.

 

[Solomeena]

They're the two biggest grocers in Chicago. They used self-checkout for a time but have recently reverted to just having cashiers at checkout. There aren't any Wal-Marts or Targets in the city that are direct competitors to them. There aren't any real Wal-Marts in Chicago, and while the Target stores have grocery sections now, they're still more for household items than food.

Dude, there is a Wal-mart at Diversey and Cicero. There is another one at Cicero and North Avenue as well.

 

[Sp3eD]

I've been here on vacation all week and went down to the store on Thursday.

It was a decent experience, but of course with the hype the place was packed (they had to regulate how many people could enter with actual employees)

Standard 7-11 fare inside, but I can totally see how quick and easy it will be once everybody is used to it.

I tried picking up stuff and putting it back when I found a new flavor of something I liked. Worked like a charm.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Self check outs don't ask if you need a bag or not and don't comment on your purchases so there's that

 

[Hotspurr]

I always prefer the automated kiosks. Generally faster and the software is at a good place (at least at Target). Automation is inevitable, better learn how to code folks. Whether it's a good thing or not is another question.

 

[Zog]

I want to like self checkouts and ordering kiosks but I can't with a clear conscious. They are taking away jobs which will push all wages down as employee supply increases and employee demand decreases.

 

[Zog]

I normally agree with you on things, but this one I don't. When I go to my local Walmart, which I frequent for small amounts of items, from wait time in line, to end of checkout takes me under 2 minutes. That doesn't even come close in the "express checkout".

For those who would rather waste their time standing in a long line because they don't have to go through the horror of scanning products and putting them in a bag, then by all means.

He is right though, you are doing for free what they use to pay people to do.

 

[120v]

I want to like self checkouts and ordering kiosks but I can't with a clear conscious. They are taking away jobs which will push all wages down as employee supply increases and employee demand decreases.

we've still a ways to go before cashier demand takes a significant hit. these kiosks aren't rocket science to operate and by 2030 or whatever i'd like to think there was a transitioning from being a 'cashier' to operating 5 or so kiosks

will still result in a net loss of jobs and automation in general is spooky. but in this regard it should more or less work itself out.

anecdotal but one of the more upper scale grocery stores in my neighborhood reverted from self checkout to a bunch of express lanes. once i saw that i was like 'yeah... we're nowhere near ready yet'

 

[ickythingz]

I refuse to use self check-out. You want me, the customer, to work for you with your slow, clunky check-out systems that almost always need a spotter, then give me a 10% discount at least.

This. I pay for a service. I am not going to do peasant work. My time is worth money.

 

[EverydayBeast]

If someone with a weeks worth of food is in front of you, and you have one item take your shit to the 12 items or less line, self check out or alternative departments cashiers.

 

[Dthomp]

If someone with a weeks worth of food is in front of you, and you have one item take your shit to the 12 items or less line, self check out or alternative departments cashiers.

I wish more stores near me had the 10 items or less lines. Those were eliminated for the self checkout craze. However in my area it's still the people with 65+ items going there, having no clue what they are doing and then needing *gasp* a real person to do half of it anyways. The one place in my area I like to go with 10 item or less lines however still has the idiots with 40 items going to those lanes and heaven forbid you can ask if they know how to read and to go to a real lane. Back on topic, I only use self checkouts at places where the cashiers have to nag you with 17 offers and cards and programs that I just don't have a need for and don't need a giant guilt trip about not wanting their "free" card. Which then spams my inbox full of shit I don't want

 

[Super Mario]

I want to like self checkouts and ordering kiosks but I can't with a clear conscious. They are taking away jobs which will push all wages down as employee supply increases and employee demand decreases.

I used to think that. However, I've really watched retail evolve. Some jobs are being eliminated while the remaining ones are being increased in pay.