There are currently 26 Amazon Go locations operating across the US (as well as a few larger Go Grocery stores), but Amazon has decided to branch out. This week, the first international cashierless store opened in London, and it's called Amazon Fresh.
As The Verge reports, the new store is located at The Broadway in Ealing and relies on the same "Just Walk Out" technology consumers in the US are becoming used to. Amazon uses an app and cameras placed throughout the store to track what each customer takes and then charges them automatically after they leave.
Unlike in the US, Amazon decided to go with Amazon Fresh branding for these stores in the UK. Just to confuse matters, though, last year Amazon did open a Fresh grocery store in California. This Ealing location opened today for the first time and will operate seven days a week from 7am-11pm. Other Fresh stores are planned for the Greater London area next according to Amazon.
Although operating any retail store is difficult right now due to the coronavirus pandemic, these cashierless stores make sense because they require so little interaction with other people. As they sell food items, they also aren't subject to the same closure restrictions other types of retail have faced for many months now.