Amazon Go or No

From Anastasia, News Team Contributor

Amazon has currently opened 14 Amazon Go grocery stores four of which are located in San Francisco. Many of us already use self-checkout in local stores like Walmart, Safeway, Target and more, Amazon Go takes this technology to the next level to avoid lines and make shopping all-around more enjoyable. All a customer has to do is scan a QR code at the entrance and then go about and pick up items from the selves, the detectors will know what one is taking what is he or she are putting back. Lastly, the customer would just walk out, most say it feels like shoplifting but legal. Amazon Go is the technology of the future, it’s unbelievable what technology can already achieve in today’s world. Learn more from this Forbes article.

While this is a revolutionary technology, it also can cause many money issues. One is the problems with Amazon Go is that buyers are not physically paying for their groceries. According to the CNBC article, friction-less payment methods make it easier for one to splurge. While in many stores people already use their phones to pay, for example at Starbucks where payments are processed through the app, Amazon Go doesn’t require purchasers to even take out their phone to pay. Since there is no cashier to calculate the total, people who are looking for a way to save money should probably stay away from the Amazon Go store, because essentially there is nothing to keep them accountable for how much they spend. Many argue that since customers can only pay with credit cards, it’s discrimination against people who don’t or can’t use them. This can grow into a complex debate on whether or not stores are allowed to not take cash. Non-tangible payment method is causing a lot of issues for Amazon Go customers.

People are also concerned about their jobs which could be replaced by artificial intelligence. Amazon Go is one hundred percent cashier-free store. CNN says that over the next decade 7.5 million workers will lose their jobs due to automation. This is a significant matter as it can leave many jobless and homeless. According to Forbes, nearly 2.3 million jobs can be affected by Amazon’s new technology. This would translate into $37 billion of lost income nationwide, in some areas the impact can also show as additional participation of government services like food stamps and Medicare which would also take away from earned money. So far these are just theories, and Amazon has no intention of introducing it’s new technology to Amazon-owned Whole Foods chain or any other large grocery stores. Small stores, like 7/11, could go out of business due to this new tech. This is definitely something we should consider for the future. Check out the full article on cashiers’ job loss due to Amazon Go.

Amazon Go can make our life much more efficient through its cashier-free technology. This would allow customers to avoid lines even more. While some may say that we are getting too impatient, we all go through self-checkout whenever we can anyways, so why no make it even better with Amazon Go. It is also been proven that when standing in line customers usually try to justify the time spent waiting by getting more things and spending more money. Amazon Go is a perfect way to make grocery stores nice and short, this way buyer will go in get exactly what they need and promote a minimalistic lifestyle where they end up saving money. 

New technologies will allow making grocery shopping cheaper. The Amazon Go app shows all of the prices, so when searching for the lowest prices, the customers won’t need to visit the store to find out the deals. The store also only has 6 onsite employees, which are there to help out, give directions and restock. This allows the store to cut down on operation costs and lower the prices because it will take less for the store to make a profit.

Amazon Go will stay consistent all around the world, this means that customers who want to eat as they would at home when they are away can do so easily, especially since Amazon would already know their preferences. This means people can easily access their favorite salads, sandwiches and more all over the world. This is just like Starbucks because everyone knows that they can get their favorite wrap and frappuccino no matter where they are. This cuts down on time it takes to find an affordable and reliable store in the area new to a person.

While AmazonGo has certain drawbacks, it makes grocery shopping more convenient and efficient. We all strive to have the most comfortable experience no matter what we are doing and Amazon Go can do this for our world.  Even with the drawbacks would you try this new futuristic store? Is it worth the sacrifices our society would undergo? I guess we will see!

Additional Articles:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/23/amazon-go-grocery-store-could-actually-be-bad-for-your-wallet.html

https://blog.bluepay.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-living-in-an-amazon-go-world

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/tech/amazon-go/index.html

https://mashable.com/2018/01/22/everything-you-need-to-know-amazon-go/