Right opposite the world-famous Roundhouse, seconds from Chalk Farm tube station, is a new type of convenience grocery store.
And it’s no exaggeration to say that Amazon Fresh is so hi-tech it feels like the future. For a start, there’s no queuing at the checkout, no need to scan any items, and no packing your bag in the conventional sense. You simply choose what you want – as we did, when we tried it for the first time the other day – and leave. An undeniable thrill in itself, and what Amazon calls ‘Just Walk Out Shopping’.
So how does it actually work? Well, you use the Amazon app to enter, scan the QR code that pops up, then stick the phone back in your pocket and browse for what you need. Take a reusable bag-for-life or your tote and fill it with anything that tickles your fancy. At the end of your shopping trip, you walk out an Amazon will charge your account and send you a receipt. You’ll also be able to see your order in the Amazon app.
Amazon Fresh: Top 3 Offers
• Start your day: a pastry with a hot drink for £2.50
• Lunch to go for a little less dough: buy a main. Get a side and drink for £1 extra
• Dinners: share a main and side for two people for £5
Step inside and you’ll discover more than you might first think: there’s fresh bread baked in store, with sourdough bloomers, pastries and treats, as well as canned goods, cold drinks, beers, wines and spirits, meat and fish, plus fruit and veg. Not to mention household goods, newspapers and magazines, flowers, greetings cards and more.
If your office is local, or you WFH, there’s also well-priced fresh takeaway coffee (including Oatly milk), and hot food including haloumi and falafel wraps, bacon butties, porridge, mac ‘n’ cheese with spinach, and hot soups.
Other lunchtime meals include hand-prepared salads, such as hot smoked salmon with beetroot and a ginger teriyaki dressing, tuna nicoise with lemon vinaigrette, and a whole host of plant-based options.
And finally, the store has an Amazon Hub counter where customers can conveniently pickup or return items purchased on Amazon.co.uk. So this really is a convenience store in every sense of the word.
A little bit more info? Oh go on then
• Customers need the Amazon app to enter, and staff in the store can help them if they are not sure how it works.
• Just Walk Out technology means that customers scan their Amazon app on the way in and enter via a gate, a new QR code is produced every time. They pick up items they want, and the technology adds them to a “virtual cart”. When they are ready, they can just walk out via the gates. Their Amazon account is then charged and email a receipt.
• There are staff within the store to help if customers are unsure or get stuck, as well as replenish items, bake fresh goods, prepare our hot food, and clean.
• The stores are convenience food stores, selling all your daily essentials. The stores have lots of staff working at the stores to help customers if they need.
• Masks are not mandatory, free masks are at our store entrance if a customer wants to use one.
Amazon Fresh, 86 Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AR. 7am – 11pm, 7 days a week. Check out Amazon.co.uk/Freshstore
Main image: Stephen Emms
This is a sponsored post in association with Amazon Fresh. If you’re a brand or business who wants to reach out to thousands of North Londoners, please email: info@londonbelongstome.com
