Amazon registers UK trademark for cashier-free store

Amazon has registered a British trademark for its new cashier-free bricks-and-mortar grocery store, paving the way for a potential launch in the country.

Amazon could be planning to launch cashier-free stores in the UK. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

The online retail giant recently announced that it will open an Amazon Go store in Seattle next year, but has remained quiet on whether or not it will expand the model internationally.

However, the registering of a UK trademark on 5 December is the clearest sign yet that the firm is about to expand the concept into Britain.

Amazon Go will use technology that automatically detects when products are taken from or returned to shelves, allowing customers with the Amazon Go app to walk out of the store without queuing or scanning their items. Shortly after leaving, customers will be charged for their shopping via their Amazon accounts.

Nicla Di Palma, an equity analyst at wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, has said the model may be more successful on this side of the Atlantic.

“I would say that it is even more likely to work in the UK than in the US. For example, one of the reasons why Fresh & Easy – Tesco’s business in the US – did not succeed was that they were focusing on self-checkout, whilst the American consumer likes service.”

Amazon already has a presence in the British grocery market through a wholesale deal inked with Morrisons earlier this year.

The group’s 1,800 square foot Seattle store is set to focus on food-to-go, groceries such as milk, bread, cheese and chocolate, and will sell Amazon Meal Kits.

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