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Amazon Go

(amazon.com)
1247 points mangoman | 14 comments | 05 Dec 16 14:57 UTC | HN request time: 1.409s | source | bottom
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elicash ◴[05 Dec 16 15:31 UTC] No.13105963[source]▶
I worked at a grocery store for several years, and one thing I recall is customers CONSTANTLY putting items back in a random aisle, rather than where they found it.

I wonder how this tech deals with that? Maybe they figured that out, too. But I was amused in the video when I saw the customer putting it back where it belonged, because that's not how I remember that going...

All that said, this is fantastic and exciting.

Edit: I also hope they're already thinking about EBT cards and WIC.

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Cthulhu_ ◴[05 Dec 16 15:38 UTC] No.13106046[source]▶
I really wouldn't trust 'picked up off the shelf' detection, not without the whole thing looking like a giant vending machine. RFID tags on products probably works better.
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1. stevenmays ◴[05 Dec 16 16:08 UTC] No.13106339[source]▶
I think RFID tags are too expensive to put on every product. I may be wrong on this.
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2. iainmerrick ◴[05 Dec 16 16:13 UTC] No.13106393[source]▶
I have a feeling you're wrong -- I see RFID tags on almost everything these days, even tiny cheap products.
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3. jpalomaki ◴[05 Dec 16 16:25 UTC] No.13106515[source]▶
Quick search on Alibaba shows that on volume these are just $0.01 each (and probably lower when you buy larger volumes). Of course sticking these to each product is inconvenient and I would assume the tags are not yet built in in most grocery product packaging.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-Professional-ma...

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4. mattlondon ◴[05 Dec 16 16:27 UTC] No.13106534[source]▶
Yep, in smallish bulk (low 1000s), you can get them for about 10-20c a tag (and these are "self printed" ones you can print in-store as needed via dedicated RFID printers) (e.g. https://www.atlasrfidstore.com/rfid-label-4x2-for-the-zebra-...)

I am sure that amazon/walmart/tesco/whoever will need more than 1000 at a time and so obviously get a larger discount. Probably down to well under a penny or two - starts to make a lot of sense when you factor in the other benefits (lower staff, easier stock-tracking/taking etc)

5. cobookman ◴[05 Dec 16 16:35 UTC] No.13106606[source]▶
RAIN Rfid tag is < 10cents.
replies(1): >>13106749 #
6. jonknee ◴[05 Dec 16 16:47 UTC] No.13106729[source]▶
Also never underestimate Jeff Bezos' willingness to lose money in the short term.
7. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 16:49 UTC] No.13106749[source]▶
1% is a decent average margin in a grocery store (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/industry-standard-gross-margi...).

So, it would require a $10 item to break even on a €0.10 tag.

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8. tgb ◴[05 Dec 16 17:13 UTC] No.13106987{3}[source]▶
I don't think you can make that conclusion. Presumably this store will be saving money on cashiers by instead using RFIDs.
replies(1): >>13107126 #
9. tedmiston ◴[05 Dec 16 17:14 UTC] No.13107007[source]▶
Also the cost of labor and/or machines to stick them on.
10. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 17:23 UTC] No.13107126{4}[source]▶
The article I quoted claims 1% is the _gross_ margin, in which case my argument is valid. I now think that is incorrect, as other high-ranking Google results claim it is the _net_ margin.
11. cobookman ◴[05 Dec 16 17:36 UTC] No.13107300{3}[source]▶
But if using RFID saves them more than the cost of the technology its a win.

Basically if Savings from reducing sales persons > Cost of New Technology, you'll add the new tech.

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12. zenware ◴[05 Dec 16 18:29 UTC] No.13107854[source]▶
Most libraries RFID all their books now so you can just drop them on a scanner that detects all the books you have, swipe your library card and go.

I don't think that's actually what Amazon Go is doing though.

13. makomk ◴[05 Dec 16 20:37 UTC] No.13109248[source]▶
Alibaba sellers will list almost anything for $0.01 each, though, regardless of actual selling price.
14. Someone ◴[05 Dec 16 22:17 UTC] No.13110260{4}[source]▶
It doesn't have to be strictly cheaper, as it also adds convenience. Not having to wait at the checkout will be worth something to customers, possibly quite a lot in the case of a shop targeting richer customers.