New shopper authentication experiences from Amazon Just Walk Out

Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announces two new Amazon Just Walk Out authentication products, making Just Walk Out implementation more applicable for a wider range of retailer use cases. The new modular authentication pedestals now allow retailers to use their preferred payment processors at Just Walk Out stores and give retailers flexibility to easily add or remove authentication hardware in under a few hours to best meet their shoppers’ payment needs. Also, retailers can now use door authorization to convert existing spaces with standard doors into Just Walk Out stores without the need for gate lanes, reducing footprint requirements and construction costs while maintaining control of store access.

Just Walk Out uses a combination of AI, computer vision, sensors, and RFID to eliminate traditional checkout lines. This creates a fast and seamless shopper experience while increasing retailers’ sales and lowering their operational costs.

About modular authentication pedestals

Modular authentication pedestals, placed at either store entry or exit, let retailers use their preferred payment processor(s) — this lets retailers maintain existing payment terms and install card readers supported by their preferred payment processors within a few hours. This flexibility also extends to other authentication pedestal hardware, allowing retailers to mix and match authentication methods to best-fit different shopper needs: For example, a retailer launching a grab-and-go university Just Walk Out store could first install modular pedestals with QR code and credit card readers, then easily remove the QR reader and add an RFID badge reader to support authentication with student IDs. Similarly, a retailer could switch their preferred payment processor by only replacing the card readers, without added fiddling with the authentication pedestals.

As part of this launch, we are excited to integrate with Adyen, a leading global payment provider, and Shift4, a leading US payment provider in sports and hospitality. These integrations further increase retailer and shopper payment flexibility. Through the Adyen UK integration, Just Walk Out now also supports American Express outside of the US—for the first time.

Modular pedestals with support for Shift4 via PAX card reader (left) and Adyen via Verifone (right)

Levy, a restaurant and hospitality company specializing in providing food and beverage to major entertainment and sports venues, has implemented modular authentication pedestals in recent stores.

“We’ve used Just Walk Out’s modular authentication pedestals in our newest locations, making it fast and simple to get the stores up and running. We were able to get the authentication pedestals installed and operating within days. Plus, our customers have been delighted by the simple entry experience, finding it intuitive and easy to enter our stores,” said Harry Ridley, Head of Technology, Levy.

About door authorization

Door authorization lets retailers convert existing spaces with doors into Just Walk Out stores in less time and at lower cost than before. By connecting authentication pedestals to a standard door instead of gate lanes, retailers can more easily add Just Walk Out technology into existing retail spaces and operate them 24×7 without needing labor to check out shoppers. Shoppers simply authenticate their payment method at the door to gain access, then shop freely within the store. Just Walk Out’s AI-powered technology automatically tracks items in each shopper’s virtual cart as they take or return items. When they are done with their trip, shoppers simply exit through the door and are charged for any purchases.

Door authorization (left) compared to standard Just Walk Out gate lanes (right)

IONNA, a fast-charging network for electric vehicles, will offer secure access to their autonomous convenience stores with Just Walk Out’s new door authentication.

“We wanted to give our charging customers the convenience of seamless, high quality, and fast shopping with autonomous stores at our IONNA Electric Vehicle Charging Stations”, said Ricardo Stamatti, Chief Product Officer of IONNA. “Door authorization meant we could take a standard pre-fabricated structure, convert it into a Just Walk Out store, and deploy at an IONNA Rechargery in record time. Giving drivers the amenities they crave, enabled by Just Walk Out’s accurate sales of food & beverage items, and without the need of a full-time attendant at checkout. Ultimately, we chose to work with Just Walk Out over other providers because Amazon provided the right technology, scale, reliability, and joint vision of the future that others couldn’t. We’re excited to open our first three Rechargeries using Just Walk Out’s vision technology in 2025.

Example render of a pre-fabricated Just Walk Out store

Extending Just Walk Out technology beyond convenience

Beyond providing a fast and convenient shopper experience, Just Walk Out technology transforms how retailers operate their stores and serve their shoppers. By eliminating traditional checkout lines, retailers have seen both topline and operational improvements across their stores in a variety of verticals, such as education and sports. As one example, University of California San Diego (UCSD) implemented Just Walk Out and saw an ~19% lift in peak shoppers served per hour (~11% boost in total guest count) and successfully re-allocated ~30% of labor to support other critical needs. The sports and entertainment sector has seen similar success. Todd Humphrey, SVP of Digital Innovation and Fan Experience for the Seattle Kraken, shared an enthusiastic response from their fans.

“The fans have spoken, too, and they’re thrilled,” he said. “My favorite comment that I’ve seen is ‘I got my beer in eight seconds!’”

Just Walk Out’s extensive network of certified partners makes it straightforward for retailers to bring this experience to their stores. Certified partners handle everything from initial project management and store design to procurement and installation, ensuring a fast and smooth transition to autonomous retail, with expert support throughout the process.

Learn more

Will you be at NRF? Check out demos of door authorization and modular authentication pedestals at the AWS Booth, #5483.

Learn how Just Walk Out can transform your retail or food-service space.