Amazon Offering Frictionless Shopping Powered by RFID

Published: November 22, 2024
  • The company’s frictionless checkout solutions, designed to seamlessly integrate into existing systems that can be installed in a day
  • The Just Walk Out RFID lanes delivered checkout speeds up to four times faster than traditional point of sales systems

Amazon has launched new RFID lanes for retailers that company officials said can be installed in just one day.

Amazon’s Just Walk Out is being marketed for fast-paced retail environments aimed at eliminating traditional point-of-sale (POS) systems that can cause bottlenecks, slow checkout times, and lead to inefficient use of staff in high-traffic locations like stadiums and concert venues. Utilizing RFID, the Amazon product offers frictionless checkout solutions that integrates into existing systems as well as flexibility to reconfigure store layouts.

The Seattle-based behemoth provides the lane hardware, tag printer, tag printing UI, and handheld tooling required for store operations. The system lets retailers integrate into their existing technology ecosystem by syncing Just Walk Out data with leading POS and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, loyalty programs, and flexible payment providers.

Partnership with AD

To accomplish all of this, Amazon has partnered with Avery Dennison to provide RFID tags. Amazon chose AD due to it offering “the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of high-performing, high-quality RFID products, including options for standard sizes and formats for quick deployments, UPC integrated solutions, supplemental hang tag and self-adhesive labels, branded and embellished hang tags, a wide range of sizing options and various inlay options to meet ARC and other use case specifications.”

The RFID lanes key benefits include:

  • Able to easily reconfigure RFID lanes for flexible layouts in temporary or permanent configurations.
  • Integrate with various payment methods, POS systems, and loyalty programs.
  • Reduce the labor required to complete cycle counts.
  • Can be paired with traditional checkout systems or operate independently as sole POS.

Testing Results

In pilots, Amazon reported Just Walk Out RFID lanes delivered checkout speeds up to four times faster than traditional POS systems making them ideal for fast-paced settings, sporting events, and concerts. Pilot customers also experienced a 40 percent reduction in required labor to operate a store and reduced the time to complete cycle counts by 96 percent.

Venue operators have reported back to Amazon the system has quickly reduce wait times and streamline merchandise purchases at arenas and stadiums during concerts and halftime.

Lauren Gurley, senior manager of retail operations, Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, noted the technology has drastically improved the fan experience by eliminating checkout lines.

“I’m looking forward to implementing the RFID tagging across our venue for the inventory management capabilities before the next season,” said Gurley is a press statement. “That’s just as big, if not a bigger opportunity, than speeding up checkout.”

Amazon points out the system has appeal to retailers as it will better handle peak shopping periods like Black Friday or holiday sales by minimizing bottlenecks. Additionally, retailers can  quickly transform unused spaces into permanent or temporary retail locations, such as pop-up shops and seasonal events, using this system.

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