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Whole Foods is adapting Amazon’s palm scanners to introduce a new and innovative way of paying whenever shopping. The process makes paying less of a hassle, fast and easy.
A new way of cashless payment
As per CNN Business, Amazon will install its palm scanners in some Whole Foods stores and this will allow customers to pay for the goods by just waving their hand. The tech company announced on Wednesday, April 21 that will bring the scanners to the grocery outlet in Seattle.
Gradually, it will be rolling out the same innovative cashless payment system to eight other Whole Foods stores in the same state. It is hoped that the next installations of Amazon’s palm scanner in stores will take place in the coming months.
Now, since this is an automated means of paying at Whole Foods, Amazon clarified that having the palm scanners in stores will not affect employment. This means that staff in the outlets will retain their jobs and will not be replaced by this device.
Likewise, the technology was initially criticized and it was alleged that it was one way that Amazon may be terminating workers. To this, Amazon reiterated the payment system is not intended for that purpose.
How the palm scanner payment work
Amazon explained that customers simply have to hold their palms above the scanner and it will verify their identity and pay for the goods they purchased. Whole Foods customers need to sign up for this and provide their credit or debit card information that will be linked to their palm print. Shoppers can also opt for other payment options including cash, check or other credit cards.
The tech company already tested the palm scanning pay option that it calls the “Amazone One” at Amazon Go groceries. Customers were able to leave the store by just waving their palms at the sensors.
“At Whole Foods Market, we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the shopping experience for our customers,” senior vice president of technology and chief technology officer at Whole Foods Market, Arun Rajan, said in a press release. “Working closely with Amazon, we’ve brought benefits like Prime member discounts, online grocery delivery and pickup, and free returns to our customers, and we’re excited to add Amazon One as a payment option beginning today.”
