Amazon’s automated stores will start accepting cash
Amazon plans to start accepting cash at its automated convenience stores, addressing rising complaints that cash-free businesses discriminate against impoverished and lower-income shoppers who are more likely to lack access to banking or credit cards.
The change, reported by CNBC with confirmation from Amazon, won’t go into effect right away. And it’s not known yet how Amazon will make the change. CNBC reports an executive saying that “additional payment mechanisms” are coming, and a spokesperson said you’ll eventually be able to “check out, pay with cash, and then get your change.”
This is a major change to Amazon’s model. Its Amazon Go stores, 10 of which have launched so far, were built entirely around the concept of being...