Unity Place launches first checkout-free store with Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology
Milton Keynes has recently celebrated the grand opening of The Corner Store at Unity Place, the town’s first-ever frictionless shopping experience powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
This new service eliminates the need for traditional checkout lines, offering a seamless shopping experience for visitors.
Unity Place, known for its pioneering spirit in retail technology, is the first venue in Milton Keynes to implement this cutting-edge technology since the introduction of starship delivery robots in 2018. The Corner Store aims to enhance the food and beverage shopping experience by making it more efficient and convenient.
To shop at The Corner Store, visitors simply scan their credit card or mobile wallet at the entry gate. The Just Walk Out technology tracks items that shoppers take from or return to the shelves, creating a virtual shopping session. Once shoppers finish, they can leave the store without queuing, and their selected payment method will be automatically charged for the items taken. This technology relies on advanced artificial intelligence, including computer vision and deep learning techniques, to accurately determine who took what, even in varied store formats, lighting conditions, and crowded environments.
The store offers a wide selection of products, including hot beverages, nutritious grab-and-go meals, sweet and savoury bakery items, salads, sandwiches, and a wall of fridges stocked with soft drinks and fruit juices. Shoppers can also find an array of snacks such as fruit, nuts, granola bars, cereal, biscuits, crisps, sweets, and chocolate, as well as essential convenience items like medical supplies, toiletries, reading glasses, and umbrellas.
Despite the high-tech approach, Unity Place has created a substantial number of new job opportunities within the local community. Since its launch, at least 159 new positions have been filled, including roles in front of house and kitchen staff for various outlets, as well as positions in security, logistics, placemaking, engineering, and guest services.
Kenneth Leamy, Head of Digital and Technology at Restaurant Associates, expressed his enthusiasm for the new store: “We are constantly looking at ways to further enhance our customer journey and through the launch of The Corner Store, we can now provide a faster and more seamless experience using proven, secure technology. The launch of The Corner Store is a huge milestone for Unity Place and for Milton Keynes, and we are thrilled to offer this technology to improve shopping for our customers.”
Unity Place is more than just a retail space; it supports a thriving workplace community with amenities designed to enrich the working day and foster collaboration and interaction. The building includes a variety of retail units, office floors, food and drink vendors in the Urban Food Market, an auditorium and flexible event spaces, a Unity Sky Lounge with a rooftop terrace, an internal wellness suite, and arts and exhibition spaces for local community projects and exhibits.
Location: Unity Place is situated at the gateway to the Central Milton Keynes business district, directly across from Milton Keynes Central train station on Grafton Gate, at the west side of Midsummer Boulevard. It’s a short five-minute walk from the train platform to the office entrance.
