Amazon’s latest initiative into retail is called “Smart Stores”. Part of Amazon Pay, it is an India-specific program that provides smaller retail stores with software to maintain a digital log of inventory and a unique QR code.
When consumers walk to the store and scan this QR code with the Amazon app, they see everything the shop has to offer, as well as any discounts and past reviews from customers. They can select the items and pay for it using Amazon Pay . Amazon Pay in India supports a range of payments services, including the popular UPI, and debit and credit cards.
Amazon told TechCrunch that it piloted this project two months ago and is formally launching it now after seeing the early feedback. More than 10,000 shops, ranging from mom and pop stores to big retail chains, including Big Bazaar, MedPlus and More Supermarkets, have deployed the company’s system, it said.
