[ip26]

How is that better? It saves you from... pushing a cart?

Not to mention, until robots can handle every variety of produce and package, isn't the real life manifestation basically going to be a sixteen year old dashing about in a mirror-store hidden in the back, tracing your footsteps, picking up the things you scan, and putting them in a cart?

[Skunkleton]

A few reasons:

1. Potential for less waste through 1) people not avoiding ugly produce, 2) not leaving refrigerated stuff on a non-refrigerated shelf, 3) leaving freezer doors open, 4) stealing things.

2. Less congestion in the browsing section.

3. Better stock tracking.

4. Easier stock management. You don't have to have people move stock between a warehouse and a shelf.

5. And yes, you don't have to push a cart.

There are significant drawbacks too. The biggest one I can think of is that the fulfillment mechanism doesn't actually exist.

[knodi123]

you forgot "instant checkout"

[Skunkleton]

I doubt you would get that. You still have to wait for fulfillment. I guess at least you probably wouldn't be in a line.

[ip26]

I think this is what culture shock feels like. I truly struggle to imagine a people for whom being relieved of the great burden of pushing a grocery cart is actually a significant pro. Do these people even cook food?

Wrt 3 & 4, when you've practically got two whole stores, one with stocked product and one with QR codes, you're not saving space or stock management. (You're not going to go straight from shipping boxes to customer's hands)

[craftyguy]

It's certainly a lot easier and faster to walk around a crowded grocery store without a cart than with one.

No idea why you are conflating the desire to push a shopping cars with the ability to cook food..

[ip26]

It seems like someone who finds grocery shopping an insufferable hassle is going to feel the same way about spending an hour or two cooking dinner.

Maybe it's true, and carts are a great burden on many people. I've just not seen it myself, so I'm a bit flabbergasted. Especially since children can ride in carts.

[jryle70]

Cooking is enjoyable. Pushing card in a crowded store is not. You either feel annoyed that you're blocked by someone's, or feel awkward that yours is blocking others. From that perspective not having carts is beneficial to the store as well, since customers now can enjoy lingering in the store longer.

[01100011]

It allows a store to open where it might not have been profitable or possible. It saves you money by allowing the retailer to lower prices.

Imagine being able to open a Walmart Supercenter in the middle of, say, San Francisco(like that would ever happen but anyway). They'd never be able to afford the real estate for a traditional supercenter, but they might be able to afford a super-tower.