Amazon may replace cashiers at Whole Foods with a new automated payment system [tr]

UK Daily Mail ^ | June 20, 2017 | Jessica Chia

[C19fan]

Amazon is looking to reduce costs at Whole Foods with a new automated checkout system that would render thousands of cashiers redundant, it has been reported. Carmen Clark, 37, an employee at the Mount Pleasant Whole Foods, said, 'Everybody's been kind of joking that it's going to be robots and drones,' after the Amazon bought the grocery chain for $13.7 billion. It turns out Clark wasn't that far off, since Amazon is trying to reduce prices by replacing cashiers with a new mobile payment system, according to a person familiar with the company's plans who spoke to Bloomberg. But Amazon refuted the reports and denied that there were any job cuts in the works.

[Captain Peter Blood]

As someone who has been retail I want to know one thing, if you automate the front end how will prevent theft and shrinkage?

[circlecity]

"They'll kill the chain. The whole point of Whole Foods is to provide an upscale, yuppie, shopping experience."

I don't know that Amazon cares about the current Whole Foods business model. They want the over 400 stores to use as refrigerated retail distribution centers. They want to go head to head with the large big box grocery retailers and take their share of the market.

[DaveArk]

Walmart tried this here a while back. Wife tried it first day. Walmart stopped it in less than a week. Was not cost effective, too much loss. Walmart tests lots of new things around here since it's their headquarters.

[VanDeKoik]

I dont buy groceries from anyplace that doesn’t have self-checkout.

I’m way too introverted.

[subterfuge]

The best thing about using self checkout is not being grunted at by the cashier when I say “thanks, have a nice day!”

[Veto!]

I detest those self-checkout systems. Do NOT want to bag my own groceries. Plus, the checkers at Trader are upbeat and friendly. I ran in for a little something the other day, right after ophthalmologist appt. Eye looked horrible. Fellow who worked there asked what happened, gave me a big hug, and then gave me a bunch of flowers. On Valentines day, another checker asked whether I lived alone and when I said yes, handed me a very cute card they were selling.

Keep your stupid electronic checkers.

[Mr.Unique]

The “self serve” checkouts I have seen to date seem to be designed by the grocery clerks’ union. They always have a checker watching and very few items scan with one try. If your item does scan, the system will give you an error about bagging.

The systems are designed to not work and drive you back into a manned line.

[txrefugee]

Let’s hope the lousy automatic checking devices are more reliable at Amazon than they are at Walmart. Otherwise, there will always be someone employed to over-ride the register for disgruntled patrons.

[Fireone]

Direct result of that fabulous $15 minimum wage movement.
It’s only a “fair, living wage” if someone will pay it. Amazon, in this case, won’t.

[minnesota_bound]

#2 I use the self check out when I can but they fail quite a bit and the clerk has to fix it.

[deport]

Is Walmart using the call in, drive up, they load and you go system there?

[Pearls Before Swine]

This is going to be hard on the ‘tards. I’ve noticed that many Downs people get jobs as checkout baggers, and they are pretty good at it. I bet they’re the first to go when automation kicks in at the counter.

[neefer]

That's what I was thinking. They'll have to install more cameras above the self check out and hire employees to watch customers.

Yes, automation causes some people to lose their job. But it also creates jobs for people with technical skills (i.e. programmers, maintenance and repair people).

[goodnesswins]

What if you don’t bank by smartphone?

[The Great RJ]

Will be common with the $15 minimum wage..cheaper to automate than pay $15 for cashier services.

[jjotto]

Perhaps Whole Foods will preserve its upscale image by simply not allowing non-smartphone customers to shop there. Or likely some kind of RFID smartcard could take the place of the smartphone.

[circlecity]

I’m not sure. I don’t buy the family groceries but I think I’ve heard my wife talk about it, so, if it’s not there it must be coming.

[goodnesswins]

We’ve had a mix of scanners and clerks for years in various stores in the Northwest. Surly (and slow) clerks have sent us more to scanning...however, the Fred Meyer we shop at has a guy who works at the scanners who makes you WANT to go there...his attitude and immediate response is so welcome...that I will make sure he us working before choosing checkout options. That said, online shopping is very nice...and that’s where I believe many are headed.

[mewzilla]

I was in a Wally a few days ago. Saw a casher ringing up a cartload. While the cashier was ringing, she wiped her runny nose with her hand then continued to wring up the items without cleaning her hands.

I’ll use automated checkout whenever I have the opportunity.

[Grams A]

What if you have a coupon?