As the move towards a cashless society continues, shopping at physical stores with a credit card can be a clunky experience. With the cumbersome need to pull out a card, type in a pin number and sign a receipt, the system makes the checkout process time consuming and inconvenient. But now, Amazon is revolutionizing the payment experience at in more than 500 Whole Foods stores across the US. with a groundbreaking biometric system that eliminates cards and cash—all users need to do is scan their palm.
The new palm-scanning payment system works by identifying and authenticating customers through unique characteristics of their hand. Enabled in the Whole Foods app, customers connect their credit card to their palm scan for a quick and easy checkout experience. Just place a palm over the biometric reader at the cash register—the transaction is then paid for automatically.
This technology has already been tested in more than 200 locations across the country, and customer reception has been overwhelmingly positive. People are drawn to the convenience and speed of the biometric system, as well as the security offered by using biometrics for authentication.
Plus, this payment method is also beneficial for Amazon itself as it generates greater interaction with customers and deepens relationships with shoppers. Already, 3 million customers have already used the new biometric payment services at Whole Foods locations. With the new system expected to be available at all these stores before the end of the year, it looks as though physical retail shopping may soon reach its most convenient, streamlined and secure state yet.
Nevertheless, there are valid critiques to any biometric payment technology. Data privacy and security must be taken into account since customers are connecting their biometric data to payment accounts. Amazon assures that biometric information will be securely stored and that it is taking extra precautions to ensure the system’s safety, protection and privacy of customers’ data. But, it is essential that users trust the company enough to decide if this system is a safe and viable payment method.
Amazon’s revolutionary biometric system brings a convenient and secure form of payment to physical shopping. This system could potentially accelerate the transition to a cashless society, while removing the need for customers to ever worry about carrying around cards or cash again. The ambiance of physical stores could become far more enjoyable and efficient as a result.