Put away the debit cards and smartphones - it’s a palms-down party for Whole Foods shoppers at the register.
That's because Amazon has announced a palm recognition payment checkout service at all Whole Foods across the U.S. by the end of 2023.
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The hands-down payment comes from Amazon One, Amazon Web Service’s palm recognition technology, which is already up and running at 200 U.S. retail locations in 2023. By December 31, Whole Foods services will not only be offered to all store customers, but Amazon Prime members can also access palm payments for customer rewards opportunities.
“This means Whole Foods Market customers who choose to use Amazon One will no longer need their wallet or even a phone to pay—they can simply hover their palm over an Amazon One device,” Amazon noted in a July 20 statement. “For Prime members who link their Amazon One profile with their Amazon account, savings will automatically be applied. It’s that simple.”
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It’s not just Whole Foods, which has been owned by Amazon since 2017.
The retail e-commerce giant has also rolled out palm-based payment services at Panera Bread and at Coors Field, home of major league baseball’s Colorado Rockies. There, ballpark fans can use their palms to buy alcohol.
For Whole Foods customers who haven’t used palm payout at checkout counters, Amazon says it’s making the service easy-peasy.
“First-time Amazon One users can pre-enroll online with their credit or debit card, Amazon account, and mobile number, and the process takes about a minute,” The company noted. “They can then complete the enrollment process in seconds by scanning their palm over an Amazon One device the next time they visit a participating Whole Foods Market store—or anywhere Amazon One is available.
Social media users are engaging quickly with the Amazon palm payment rollout.
“So we’re expected to get a chip implanted in our palm? Who would do something like that? Serious question” said one Twitter user.
“How lazy are people to not use a phone or card? Let’s give up all semblance of privacy,” noted another.
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