Technology

Amazon, Rent the Runway Expand Brick-and-Mortar Presence

TechnologyDec 07, 2016

Amazon, Rent the Runway Expand Brick-and-Mortar Presence

Amazon has unveiled a grocery store without checkout lines, while Rent the Runway has opened a flagship location.

20161207_AmazonGo.jpg
Amazon’s grocery store that allows customers to purchase items via app and simply exit the store with them will open in early 2017, the company says.

New York--Major e-commerce companies are continuing to invest in brick-and-mortar stores while updating the traditional retail experience through technology.

On Monday, Amazon premiered a video advertising Amazon Go, a grocery store that lets users purchase items via an app. They can simply pick out their groceries and walk out with them--no register or check-out line required.

Amazon is calling the technology that enables this process “just walk out technology,” which features “computer vision, deep learning algorithms, and sensor fusion, much like you’d find in self-driving cars,” the video explains.

With “just walk out technology” shoppers will scan their phones in a machine upon entering the Amazon Go store. Each item the shopper picks up will be added to their virtual shopping cart and deducted if they put it back.

Then, shoppers can simply leave the store when they’re ready. The “just walk out technology” will charge customers for the items they take via a linked credit card account, sending the receipt digitally.



According to Amazon’s website, Amazon Go, which is located in Seattle, is currently open to Amazon employees only in its beta version, but will open to the public in “early 2017.”

The first Amazon Go is compact at 1,800 square feet and features many ready-to-eat options prepared by on-site chefs and local food businesses, plus some grocery essentials.

Amazon Go is one element of a greater grocery store experiment Amazon is conducting.

Business Insider reported that Amazon would like to open 20 grocery store locations over the next two years, 10 that are “click-and-collect” pick-up centers, and 10 that will be “traditional stores,” though it’s unclear if Amazon Go is included in this category or represents a different element entirely.

Over the next 10 years, according to Business Insider, Amazon has visions of opening 2,000 Amazon Fresh-branded grocery stores.

Amazon also has one physical bookstore in Seattle, with another under construction in San Diego.


Rent the Runway opened its first New York City flagship location, which aims to utilize digital data while helping customers shop in-store.

Meanwhile, another digital-turned-omnichannel company is innovating its physical presence in New York.

Rent the Runway, the fashion, accessory and jewelry rental company, boasts seven brick-and-mortar spaces across the country’s major cities for clients to try on clothing before selecting their rental.

On Tuesday, it opened what it calls its first New York flagship at 30 W. 15th St., shuttering its Flatiron location. (Its Tribeca by-appointment
“Style Salon” is still open.)

The new location is 5,000 square feet, three times the size of the Flatiron location.

The store is designed like a “dream closet” the company said, without any open racks or mannequins. Check-in kiosks allow shoppers to reserve a fitting room; customers will be texted when their rooms are ready.

Store associates will have access to customers’ profiles, aggregated from past experiences with Rent the Runway via its website and app. Profiles will illustrate customer preferences and any upcoming event details.

The space also features a “RTR Bar,” allowing for personal customer service, plus a style studio for personal styling services.

Rent the Runway is playing up its digital/physical relationship with Samsung Mirror Displays that deliver “fun and empowering messages” while customers try clothes on in the fitting rooms.

A Samsung digital wall at the front of the store will display Rent the Runway editorial content.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy