At Amazon’s fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, associates pick, pack, and ship customer orders every day. With limited break time, waiting in line at the onsite break room market was never ideal. Now, Just Walk Out technology by Amazon has made it easy for associates to grab what they need and get back to enjoying their downtime.
Autonomous checkout at an Amazon fulfillment center
Just Walk Out technology powers the market at the Bessemer fulfillment center, giving associates the ability to purchase food and beverages onsite without the friction of a traditional checkout. Associates simply enter the market, grab what they need, and walk out, charged automatically as they leave.
More than 400 locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom use Just Walk Out technology for a seamless shopping experience, including Amazon’s Bessemer facility.
We have a thousand people each shift. It’s a 10 to 11 hour shift. There’s two 30 minute breaks. For them to be able to come to their break area, have a selection of everything that is important to them and it to be quick, efficient and easy, that means everything in the world to them.
“Innovation here at Amazon isn’t just for external customers. We also do it for our internal team members as well,” said Frederick McPherson, Director of Operations for the Bessemer Amazon fulfillment center. “Being able to bring innovation like this in-house, into the FC, into a break area. To me, that’s just another example of how we’re striving to be Earth’s Best Employer.”
Just Walk Out technology uses a combination of AI and computer vision to detect when customers take items from shelves and keeps track of them in a virtual cart. When the customer exits the market, they are charged for the items they took.
More selection, faster shopping for associates
The Bessemer fulfillment center replaced slow lines and limited vending with a market selling an array of foods, drinks, and snacks. A shopping trip at the market takes under 60 seconds, end-to-end, offering the convenience of vending machines but with far more variety, including fresh foods and refrigerated items.
“We have a thousand people each shift. It’s a 10 to 11 hour shift. There’s two 30 minute breaks,” said Cody Haycraft, site manager at Bessemer. “For them to be able to come to their break area, have a selection of everything that is important to them and it to be quick, efficient and easy, that means everything in the world to them.”
“Before Just Walk Out, it’d get a little crowded, slow, long lines,” said Shawn, an associate at the fulfillment center. “Could take a couple minutes before you check out and actually enjoy your break. But now with Just Walk Out, it’s a breeze. Takes no time at all.”
Compared to typical vending solutions, 85% of associates at the Bessemer facility prefer the market powered by Just Walk Out technology.
“I like the traditional store feel, the convenience, the variety, the simple use, all of it,” said Stephanie, an associate at the location. “It makes it easy for me to get what I need and go eat it and go back to work.”
“The technology was customized based on everything we already offer, our full array of menu items, without having to change anything,” said DeMaurius Garrett, Region Director for AVI Foodsystems, which operates the market. OR “The markets give you an opportunity to make a selection on your food choices, which you have a lot more food choices than we can offer in just a vending machine,” said DeMaurius Garrett, Region Director for AVI Foodsystems, which operates the market.
Why autonomous retail works for busy, employee-focused environments
The experience at Amazon’s Bessemer facility mirrors that of other employers that have implemented Just Walk Out technology. At hospitals and healthcare facilities, for example, the technology enables 24/7 autonomous cafe and retail experiences. Employees and visitors can purchase quality food, beverages, and merchandise at any hour without waiting in line or requiring staffed checkouts.
“Everyone is happy with the convenience and accessibility this technology has brought to our campus,” said Erica Salgado, region director of food and nutrition services for BayCare Health Services. “Our staff, physicians, and even hospital visitors can quickly grab refreshments and spend more time where it matters most, whether that’s on their breaks or with loved ones.”
Just Walk Out technology has also been deployed at stadiums, college campuses, and airports, providing autonomous retail experiences in high-traffic environments where speed and convenience are essential.
Minimizing checkout friction when every moment counts
Implementing Just Walk Out technology is part of Amazon’s commitment to its associates, both internally and externally.
“We were satisfying customer demand, but I also want to make sure people can maximize their downtime, clear their mind, really enjoy themselves while they’re at work, so that once they’re back at work, they can really focus on delivering for our customers,” said McPherson.
“At BHM1, what’s important to us is to make a smile happen,” said Cody Haycraft, site manager at Bessemer. “Because of Just Walk Out technology and there being something that makes their day just a little bit better, we’re able to make a smile happen for them.”
