Milton Keynes celebrates launch of tech-enhanced Corner Store

Today marks the launch of The Corner Store at Unity Place in Milton Keynes, pioneering a new era of retail technology in the city.

This store is the first in Milton Keynes to be equipped with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, an innovation aimed at eliminating checkout lines and enhancing the shopping experience. This development follows the introduction of starship delivery robots in Milton Keynes, announced in 2018.

The Corner Store, part of Unity Place, aims to elevate the food and beverage experience for its visitors. With Just Walk Out technology, the shopping process is streamlined, enabling customers to purchase items without the need to queue at checkouts. Shoppers simply need to use their credit card or mobile wallet at the entry gate. The technology then detects items taken from or returned to the shelves, creating a virtual shopping session.

Once the shopping is complete, customers can exit the store, and their selected payment method is automatically charged for the items.

This innovative technology leverages artificial intelligence, including computer vision and deep learning techniques such as generative AI, to accurately track shopping activities.

Amazon has developed synthetic datasets to create millions of realistic shopping scenarios. These include variations in store format, lighting conditions, and crowdedness to ensure the technology's accuracy in diverse environments.

The Corner Store offers a wide array of retail selections to cater to various preferences. The assortment includes hot beverages, nutritious grab-and-go meals, bakery items, salads, sandwiches, and a selection of chilled drinks like soft drinks and fruit juices. The snack range features fruit, nuts, granola bars, cereals, biscuits, crisps, sweets, and chocolates. Essential convenience items such as medical supplies, toiletries, reading glasses, and umbrellas are also available.

Beyond the high-tech shopping experience, Unity Place has actively supported job creation in the local community. Since its launch, Unity Place has created at least 159 new jobs. These roles encompass front-of-house and kitchen staff for several outlets, as well as positions in security, logistics, placemaking, engineering, and guest services.

Kenneth Leamy, Head of Digital and Technology at Restaurant Associates, commented on the launch, stating, "We are constantly looking at ways to further enhance our customer journey and through the launch of The Corner Store, we can now provide a faster and more seamless experience using proven, secure technology. The launch of The Corner Store is a huge milestone for Unity Place and for Milton Keynes, and we are thrilled to offer this technology to improve shopping for our customers."

The introduction of The Corner Store and its frictionless shopping experience represents a significant technological advancement for Milton Keynes. It underscores Unity Place's commitment to being at the forefront of retail technology, providing shoppers with a smooth and efficient experience while also contributing to local employment opportunities.