Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology Goes Live in Canada’s Top Sports Arenas in Calgary and Toronto

Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology Goes Live in Canada’s Top Sports Arenas in Calgary and Toronto

Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is set to revolutionize the shopping experience for fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. This technology, a part of Amazon Web Services (AWS), allows customers to shop without the need to checkout, aiming to offer a seamless and efficient retail experience.

Customers gain entry to a store by scanning a credit or debit card. Overhead cameras and sensors then track what they pick up and return to the shelves, creating a virtual tab. Once customers have completed their shopping, they simply walk out, and the system charges the card used for entry, following up with a receipt.

No Reliance on Facial Recognition or Biometric Identifiers

Jon Jenkins, Vice-President of Just Walk Out at AWS, clarified that the technology does not rely on facial recognition or any other form of biometric identifiers. The data collected only includes what people purchase and the card used for the purchase. To assist customers unfamiliar with the technology or to enforce age restrictions in stores selling alcohol, human greeters are available.

Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology: A Tested Solution

Amazon has been testing this system since 2018 and it’s currently used in 70 Amazon-owned stores and over 85 third-party retailers across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The Canadian debut will commence at the Saddledome on September 29 for Market 213 shoppers. Scotiabank Arena’s Grains and Greens and Molson Market will follow suit on October 10.

Impact on Sales and Customer Throughput

The technology is designed to help fans avoid long checkout lines and potentially increase sales, as fewer shoppers are likely to abandon their purchases when they don’t have to wait in line. In fact, some users have posted videos showing they completed their shopping within 10 seconds. When this technology was first implemented at Lumen Field, home to the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders, it saw a 60% increase in customer throughput and more than double total sales per game.

Monitoring Transactions and Enhancing Customer Experience

After implementing the technology, the Saddledome will closely monitor transaction times and basket sizes, with a goal of achieving results similar to those at Lumen Field. The ultimate objective is to reduce hassle for guests and improve their overall experience, making the entire shopping process more streamlined and less time-consuming. The advent of Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology in Canada marks a significant stride in crafting a more efficient and enjoyable shopping experience, especially in high-traffic venues like sports arenas.