Last year, the University of British Columbia (UBC) inaugurated a fully autonomous convenience store at its Vancouver campus, showcasing a pioneering vision for retail that eliminates staff, cashiers, and checkout lines, and does not require smartphone apps. The Gage Market, situated in the accessible main lobby of the Gage Commons student residence complex, operates using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, allowing customers to enter, shop, and exit without stopping to pay at a register.
This store marks a significant milestone as the first autonomous outlet in British Columbia and the first in the province to utilize Amazon’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system. Earlier this week, Amazon also launched a Just Walk Out store exclusively for its office employees inside the newly developed North Tower of The Post complex in downtown Vancouver.
As one of the initial implementations of this technology on a Canadian post-secondary campus, UBC is closely monitoring the store’s operations to evaluate the potential for expanding autonomous retail options on campus. Open 24 hours a day, Gage Market is designed to enhance convenience for students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
Amazon’s Just Walk Out system combines AI with computer vision and sensor technology to track customer activities in real-time, facilitating uninterrupted shopping experiences. This innovation allows for extended operational hours and flexible access, catering to customer needs at any time of the day or night.
The store features popular convenience items including snacks, beverages, ice cream, and personal care products. Rather than traditional checkout systems, customers gain access simply by tapping a credit card at the entrance gate. Inside, shoppers can select items and exit when they are finished. A network of overhead cameras and weight sensors on the shelves automatically monitors what is taken or returned, managing a virtual cart and charging customers as they pass through the exit gate. The streamlined process culminates in the simple action of pressing a button beside the exit to finalize their purchases.
Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is rapidly gaining traction globally, being deployed in settings such as stadiums, convention centers, airports, and healthcare facilities, in addition to various university campuses. According to Amazon’s spokesperson Kristin Gable, the company’s autonomous retail technology is now operational in over 250 third-party locations across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, in addition to numerous Amazon-owned sites.
In Canada, examples of its implementation include Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and BMO Field, as well as Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome. Just south of Metro Vancouver, the technology is also present at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Gable noted, “In 2024, we launched more third-party stores with Just Walk Out technology than any year prior. The technology serves different needs across various industries.” This adaptability is evident, as the system helps airport retailers accommodate travelers with tight schedules, reduces lines at sports venues, enables healthcare facilities to provide food access around the clock, and enhances campus retail experiences.
B.C.’s second publicly accessible fully autonomous convenience store, operated by Aisle24, opened in Spring 2026 on Robson Street in downtown Vancouver’s West End. This store utilizes different technology and requires customers to download a smartphone app to gain entry and make purchases. Aisle24, based in Toronto, has focused its expansion primarily in southern Ontario but plans to establish additional locations in B.C. in the future.
As autonomous retail technology continues to evolve, UBC’s Gage Market serves as a notable example of how AI can transform everyday shopping experiences. The ongoing developments in the sector suggest that such innovations will become increasingly integrated into various facets of consumer life, reshaping the future landscape of retail.
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