The online store Amazon will sell its cashier-less technology to other stores and retail outlets. The technology is called "Just Walk Out". This software means stores do not need cashiers. Shoppers scan an app when they go into a store, then put their shopping in their bag and then... just walk out of the store. The software calculates the cost of the customer's shopping and charges the customer's Amazon account. The new software deducts the customer's credit card or other payment card instead. Amazon has been using the software for the past two years in its own Go Grocery stores.
The Just Walk Out software will cut the number of employees stores need. Stores will put many small cameras on the ceiling. These link to software that detects what customers have in their bag. The software then bills the customer and issues a receipt online. Amazon could make a lot of money from the software. Many stores want it to remove one of the biggest customer complaints - slow checkouts. Amazon said the software would let store staff, "focus on more valuable activities". However, a retail expert worries that, "there will be fewer jobs as automation comes in".