AMAZON is set to open a smart and futuristic grocery store – without any tills - in Richmond.

The company is in the throes of creating a network of town centre convenience stores that are designed to do away with queues.

The Amazon Fresh outlet in Richmond will join six others across the capital.

The US tech giant appears to have targeted Richmond as a focus for investment in the UK. The company owns Whole Foods, which has a flagship outlet in George Street.

The unique appeal of the Amazon Fresh stores is that customers check-in at the door with an app on their smartphone and, after picking up what they want, they can simply walk away.

Smart technology and cameras can identify when an item has been picked off the shelf and put in the customer's bag. People are automatically billed through the app, which is connected to their bank account, and details of the charges are sent to their phone.

Amazon Fresh is currently advertising for staff – with graduates preferred - at a pay rate of £11.10 an hour for full and part-time jobs. As a result, it may well attract staff from rival grocers in the town.

The company has refused to discuss the plan or give the location. However, a job advert for the new outlet states: "Amazon Fresh is the first convenience grocery store to offer Just Walk Out Technology in the UK.

"Our checkout-free shopping experience is made possible by our Just Walk Out (JWO) Technology, which automatically detects when products are taken from, or returned to the shelves, and keeps track of them in a virtual cart.

"When you're done shopping, you can just leave the store. Shortly after, we'll charge your Amazon account and send you a receipt.

"Designed and custom-built by Amazonians, JWO uses a variety of technologies including computer vision, sensor fusion, and advanced machine learning. Innovation is part of our DNA!"

It said the Amazon Fresh outlet will offer a mix of everyday essentials, seasonal items, ready-to-eat lunch options and ready meals.

As well as selling groceries, the outlet will operate as a collection and drop-off point for Amazon purchases.