First airport store opens in New York using Just Walk Out system
WHSmith has opened its first store where customers can walk out without queueing for a checkout or using a self-service till.
Aimed at travellers in a hurry to grab refreshments, books, magazines, or even that last-minute greeting card, the store at LaGuardia Airport in New York is the convenience retailer’s first to come online utilising Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
With just a tap of a credit or debit card as they enter, customers can pick up their goods and simply walk out of the shop as the Just Walk Out technology uses numerous cameras around the store to determine what they take from or return to shelves, and the items will be charged to the card they used.
As the store opening was announced a few days ago (February 15), Toby Keir, ceo of US-based Marshall Retail Group which WHSmith acquired in December 2019, said: “Opening the first North American WHSmith using Amazon’s ground-breaking Just Walk Out technology at LaGuardia Terminal B is truly an honour.”
“As a group, we’re always striving to provide the best retail experience for our customers and this new technology allows travellers to shop quickly and with ease during their journey. It’s a hugely exciting time for our business and we look forward to strengthening the retail provision in airports across the US by opening more stores under our WHSmith, Marshall Retail Group and InMotion brands.”
Joanne King, director of commercial operations at LaGuardia Gateway Partners, added: “We’re excited to welcome the new WHSmith to Terminal B, and with it, another state-of-the-art amenity for Terminal B guests. Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology will give travellers the option to seamlessly grab what they need and go – one more example of the elevated guest experience at the new Terminal B.”
“Airport terminals can be very busy places, so we’re excited WHSmith has equipped its LaGuardia airport store with our Just Walk Out technology,” said Dilip Kumar, vice-president of physical retail and technology at Amazon. “Amazon’s Just Walk Out shopping experience is designed to be convenient and effortless, so the new WHSmith store will be ideal for travellers who are in a hurry to pick up refreshments, reading materials, or gifts before or after their flights.”
While a store opening has been teased, it’s not yet known when WHSmith plans to bring the technology into its 540-plus UK High Street shops.
Top: Caught on camera – WHSmith’s first checkout-free store (Images: Eamonn Conway)
