Cashier-less Shopping Coming To New Sherman Oaks Whole Foods

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — A Whole Foods store set to open in Sherman Oaks next year will be missing something you're probably used to seeing in most grocery stores – cashiers.

Amazon, which owns grocery chain, will be bringing its Just Walk Out technology to two new Whole Foods stores next year, and one of them will be in Sherman Oaks, the company said in a news release on Sept. 8.

Customers using Just Walk Out technology can enter, shop for their items, and exit the store without standing in line to pay.

The technology involves scanning a QR code in the Whole Foods Market or Amazon app, inserting a credit or debit card linked to an Amazon account, or hovering a palm that's enrolled in Amazon One – a way to pay by scanning one's hand, rather than using a card or cash.

Anything a customer takes off a shelf is automatically added to their virtual cart, and anything they put back on a shelf comes out of that cart. Before exiting, customers must scan or insert their entry method again to exit, and items are charged to an Amazon account after customers leave the store with them.

"We’ve heard from customers how much they appreciate the checkout-free shopping experience that Just Walk Out technology offers at both Amazon’s stores and other retailers’ stores," Dilip Kumar, vice president of Physical Retail and Technology at Amazon, said. "I’m excited to see how Whole Foods Market customers enjoy the fast, effortless Just Walk Out Shopping experience that allows them to skip the checkout line at the Glover Park and Sherman Oaks stores when they open."

Customers who wish to pay the traditional way can do so at the new Sherman Oaks store as well – it will have self-checkout lines that accept cash, cards, Whole Foods Market gift cards, EBT or eWic.

The future Sherman Oaks grocery store and another in Washington, D.C. will be the first Whole Foods stores to offer cashier-less shopping.

"Since Whole Foods Market was founded more than 40 years ago, we have focused on finding new ways to surprise and delight our customers and improve the shopping experience," John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, said. "We can’t wait for customers to experience this effortless, convenient new way to shop at Whole Foods Market."

More information can be found here.