Amazon, the online store that’s getting its feet into brick-and-mortar as well has picked a new target for its automated Amazon Go no-checkout stores: Airports.
The company has reached out to at least two airports, LAX and San Jose, with plans to open Amazon Go units, but no definite deals have been made yet. In Amazon Go stores, customers who are Amazon members wave their phones at a scanner on the way in, take what they want, and walk out. The company’s software pairs with the phone to charge the merchandise to the customer.
For an airport customer, the plan seems ideal: it avoids the long lines that sometimes pile up in newsstands and take-out food counters just when you’re rushing to the gate.
Amazon has tested seven of the stores so far, in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, mostly aimed at workers in nearby offices, but has made a big investment in the technology and obviously has bigger plans for it. The airport strategy is part of that; as one retail expert put it: “Think about how you can expose your brand,” the person familiar with the matter said, on condition of anonymity.”You’ll be able to build broad awareness just being in a dozen of the best airports.”
