Each Amazon Go store I visited in NYC offered something unique, and it made me realize that various retailers should be worried

Dec 20, 2019, 03:25 IST

Amazon Go is the company's grab-and-go store concept that is shaking up convenience and grocery stores.

The premise of the store is that there is no checkout line.

Customers simply scan the barcode on their Amazon or Amazon Go app to enter the store. From there, sensors monitor which items you're picking off the shelves.

As you exit the store, you get a receipt confirming what you purchased and how much you spent.

There are 18 stores across Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, six of which are in Manhattan. And more stores are slated to open in the future.

I decided to venture off to a few of Amazon Go's New York City stores to compare what each offered. My plan of action was to visit four out of the six stores in different parts of Manhattan.

Analysts estimate that Amazon Go stores could bring in $1.5 million for the company each year.

And based on my experience in each store I visited, I'm not surprised. Depending on the location and space of the store, each Amazon Go store seems to offer something different for its consumers.

With its estimated sales and more locations popping up all over, I think Amazon Go could give various retailers, from major grocers to smaller convenience stores, a run for their money.

My first stop was the One Liberty location, which conveniently was attached to my work building. The footprint of this location felt small.

This store offers 12 different categories of groceries, including dairy items, dips, frozen meals, according to the Amazon Go app. The app also specifies how much the store carries of each category.

Having never stepped foot in an Amazon Go store before, I was expecting more of a grocery store, but this location seemed more like a fancy 7-Eleven to me.

There was a large seating area in this location with a few tables for customers to sit and sip their coffee or enjoy their lunch, as well as a counter and chairs along the window. This area seemed large in comparison to the rest of the store.

There was a large seating area in this location with a few tables for customers to sit and sip their coffee or enjoy their lunch, as well as a counter and chairs along the window. This area seemed large in comparison to the rest of the store.

The shelves were mostly made up of ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads that are perfect for a grab-and-go lunch.

Grilled chicken was a popular menu item.

The frozen section also offered a variety of burritos that you could nuke in your office microwave.

There was a soda machine that had a touch screen with countless drink options…

…and a Starbucks coffee counter with an automated machine to make fancy drinks.

More typical grocery store items were scant at this location, though I found some dry foods like granola and cereal.

My next stop was the Brookfield Place location, just a few short blocks away from the One Liberty store.

The Brookfield location seemed to be more spacious than the One Liberty location, and, according to the Amazon Go app, it offers 24 grocery categories, double that of the One Liberty location.

The Brookfield Amazon Go offered a decent, though not exhaustive, selection of items in each category, and based on its offerings, it felt more like a neighborhood grocery store like Trader Joe's than the One Liberty location.

The Brookfield Amazon Go offered a decent, though not exhaustive, selection of items in each category, and based on its offerings, it felt more like a neighborhood grocery store like Trader Joe's than the One Liberty location.

The specialty snacks this store had, such as PB & J bites, reminded me of the sort of snacks Trader Joe's would carry.

It offered grocery items such as spinach, butter, snap peas, spring mix...

...condiments like peanut butter, jelly, and a stocked shelf of bread.

This location also had meat items such as Wagyu meat, beef patties, and NY strip steak on the shelves.

I could easily see myself picking up some spring mix and beef patties to make a quick dinner.

I also liked the one-pan dish offerings, such as this Korean BBQ style chicken. According to the instructions, you cook the entire meal in one pan for a quick and simple dinner.

The snack area even had some fancy chocolates.

The Brookfield location didn't have a coffee counter or anywhere to sit and eat, but it had this small area with microwaves and utensils. It seemed that this location focused more on the food items than providing a space to eat compared to the One Liberty location.

The Brookfield location didn't have a coffee counter or anywhere to sit and eat, but it had this small area with microwaves and utensils. It seemed that this location focused more on the food items than providing a space to eat compared to the One Liberty location.

The next Amazon Go store on my list was the 30 Rockefeller Plaza location. This location was a bit trickier to find than the others because it was inside. Once at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you need to take the outside elevator down to the concourse level to access this store.

The next Amazon Go store on my list was the 30 Rockefeller Plaza location. This location was a bit trickier to find than the others because it was inside. Once at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you need to take the outside elevator down to the concourse level to access this store.

This midtown location felt like it had a bigger footprint than the other two stores, though it only had 18 grocery categories.

This location reminded me of a regular grocery store with more variety per food category. It didn't have any fancy meats like the Brookfield location, but it did have essential food items to make a meal.

This location reminded me of a regular grocery store with more variety per food category. It didn't have any fancy meats like the Brookfield location, but it did have essential food items to make a meal.

At this location, whole strawberries and large containers of yogurt were on the shelves.

There were multiple shelves of coffee drinks, possibly making up for the lack of coffee counter like the one at the One Liberty store.

I found shelves filled with foods such as ravioli, pesto sauce, and an assortment of cheeses.

I even found a decent assortment of cheeses like mozzarella, gruyere, and goat cheese.

The 30 Rockefeller Plaza location had more of a variety of prepared lunch items such as lemon peppered tuna compared to the other locations that had basic sandwiches and salads.

The last Amazon Go location on my journey was the Chrysler Building location.

With all the scaffolding outside of it, the Amazon Go sign was mostly hidden until you got closer.

I was excited to see all the goodies this location had because this Amazon Go appeared to be the largest store in size compared to the other ones I visited.

On the app, it said this store had 18 different grocery categories.

Unlike the other stores, this location had a decent selection of nonfood items including household supplies and stationery, which reminded me of a Target store.

I was impressed by the assortment of household goods such as toilet paper, deodorant, paper towels, tissues, garbage bags, and Mrs. Meyer's cleaner.

This store even sold birthday cards.

This midtown location also had a shelf filled with Amazon chocolate.

Items such as butter, eggs, and almond milk were in the refrigerator section, but that was about the extent of the grocery items.

When it came to the snack and lunch options, the store offered a variety of boxes filled with fruit and cheeses, in addition to prepared sandwiches and salads.

This location also had a coffee bar, the same as the One Liberty location...

...and a spacious area to sit and eat.

I learned from this experience that, since each Amazon Go store has different offerings, planning ahead is key.

Whether you're planning on grabbing a salad for lunch or shopping to make dinner, checking out each store's grocery options on the Amazon Go app first is helpful.

Overall I was impressed by the diversity of items offered at the different Amazon Go locations, and I could see each one catering to different types of shoppers.

The Amazon Go stores seem to be a hit with shoppers so far, as the stores have already proved to have returning customers across the country.

Amazon is clearly pushing boundaries with these new stores, making it a looming threat to many different types of retailers.

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Each Amazon Go store I visited in NYC offered something unique, and it made me realize that various retailers should be worried

Amazon Go is the company's grab-and-go store concept that is shaking up convenience and grocery stores.

The premise of the store is that there is no checkout line.

Customers simply scan the barcode on their Amazon or Amazon Go app to enter the store. From there, sensors monitor which items you're picking off the shelves.

As you exit the store, you get a receipt confirming what you purchased and how much you spent.

There are 18 stores across Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, six of which are in Manhattan. And more stores are slated to open in the future.

I decided to venture off to a few of Amazon Go's New York City stores to compare what each offered. My plan of action was to visit four out of the six stores in different parts of Manhattan.

Analysts estimate that Amazon Go stores could bring in $1.5 million for the company each year.

And based on my experience in each store I visited, I'm not surprised. Depending on the location and space of the store, each Amazon Go store seems to offer something different for its consumers.

With its estimated sales and more locations popping up all over, I think Amazon Go could give various retailers, from major grocers to smaller convenience stores, a run for their money.

My first stop was the One Liberty location, which conveniently was attached to my work building. The footprint of this location felt small.

This store offers 12 different categories of groceries, including dairy items, dips, frozen meals, according to the Amazon Go app. The app also specifies how much the store carries of each category.

Having never stepped foot in an Amazon Go store before, I was expecting more of a grocery store, but this location seemed more like a fancy 7-Eleven to me.

There was a large seating area in this location with a few tables for customers to sit and sip their coffee or enjoy their lunch, as well as a counter and chairs along the window. This area seemed large in comparison to the rest of the store.

The shelves were mostly made up of ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads that are perfect for a grab-and-go lunch.

Grilled chicken was a popular menu item.

The frozen section also offered a variety of burritos that you could nuke in your office microwave.

There was a soda machine that had a touch screen with countless drink options…

…and a Starbucks coffee counter with an automated machine to make fancy drinks.

More typical grocery store items were scant at this location, though I found some dry foods like granola and cereal.

My next stop was the Brookfield Place location, just a few short blocks away from the One Liberty store.

The Brookfield location seemed to be more spacious than the One Liberty location, and, according to the Amazon Go app, it offers 24 grocery categories, double that of the One Liberty location.

The Brookfield Amazon Go offered a decent, though not exhaustive, selection of items in each category, and based on its offerings, it felt more like a neighborhood grocery store like Trader Joe's than the One Liberty location.

The specialty snacks this store had, such as PB & J bites, reminded me of the sort of snacks Trader Joe's would carry.

It offered grocery items such as spinach, butter, snap peas, spring mix...

...condiments like peanut butter, jelly, and a stocked shelf of bread.

This location also had meat items such as Wagyu meat, beef patties, and NY strip steak on the shelves.

I could easily see myself picking up some spring mix and beef patties to make a quick dinner.

I also liked the one-pan dish offerings, such as this Korean BBQ style chicken. According to the instructions, you cook the entire meal in one pan for a quick and simple dinner.

The snack area even had some fancy chocolates.

The Brookfield location didn't have a coffee counter or anywhere to sit and eat, but it had this small area with microwaves and utensils. It seemed that this location focused more on the food items than providing a space to eat compared to the One Liberty location.

The next Amazon Go store on my list was the 30 Rockefeller Plaza location. This location was a bit trickier to find than the others because it was inside. Once at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you need to take the outside elevator down to the concourse level to access this store.

This midtown location felt like it had a bigger footprint than the other two stores, though it only had 18 grocery categories.

This location reminded me of a regular grocery store with more variety per food category. It didn't have any fancy meats like the Brookfield location, but it did have essential food items to make a meal.

At this location, whole strawberries and large containers of yogurt were on the shelves.

There were multiple shelves of coffee drinks, possibly making up for the lack of coffee counter like the one at the One Liberty store.

I found shelves filled with foods such as ravioli, pesto sauce, and an assortment of cheeses.

I even found a decent assortment of cheeses like mozzarella, gruyere, and goat cheese.

The 30 Rockefeller Plaza location had more of a variety of prepared lunch items such as lemon peppered tuna compared to the other locations that had basic sandwiches and salads.

The last Amazon Go location on my journey was the Chrysler Building location.

With all the scaffolding outside of it, the Amazon Go sign was mostly hidden until you got closer.

I was excited to see all the goodies this location had because this Amazon Go appeared to be the largest store in size compared to the other ones I visited.

On the app, it said this store had 18 different grocery categories.

Unlike the other stores, this location had a decent selection of nonfood items including household supplies and stationery, which reminded me of a Target store.

I was impressed by the assortment of household goods such as toilet paper, deodorant, paper towels, tissues, garbage bags, and Mrs. Meyer's cleaner.

This store even sold birthday cards.

This midtown location also had a shelf filled with Amazon chocolate.

Items such as butter, eggs, and almond milk were in the refrigerator section, but that was about the extent of the grocery items.

When it came to the snack and lunch options, the store offered a variety of boxes filled with fruit and cheeses, in addition to prepared sandwiches and salads.

This location also had a coffee bar, the same as the One Liberty location...

...and a spacious area to sit and eat.

I learned from this experience that, since each Amazon Go store has different offerings, planning ahead is key.

Whether you're planning on grabbing a salad for lunch or shopping to make dinner, checking out each store's grocery options on the Amazon Go app first is helpful.

Overall I was impressed by the diversity of items offered at the different Amazon Go locations, and I could see each one catering to different types of shoppers.

The Amazon Go stores seem to be a hit with shoppers so far, as the stores have already proved to have returning customers across the country.

Amazon is clearly pushing boundaries with these new stores, making it a looming threat to many different types of retailers.