Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, billed as a frictionless commerce tool, is set for Climate Pledge Arena concessions, with the facility opening in October as home of the Seattle Kraken (NHL).
Not a surprise; we wrote about the plans way back in January. The big concessionaires have all been moving toward contactless concessions even before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live sports. The New York Mets installed a limited number of contactless kiosks at Citi Field in the 2019 season, which used CLEAR fingerprint technology to process transactions, while the Seattle Mariners began working on a contactless plan in 2018. And every new and renovated major-league facility is pushing frictionless concessions — witness the announcement about the Intuit Dome.
Basically, guests visiting the four Just Walk Out-enabled stores at Climate Pledge Arena can insert their credit card at the location’s entry gates to shop or can hover their palm over an Amazon One device to enter. Once inside, guests can take what they want and then just leave after they’re done shopping. As they shop, Just Walk Out technology determines what they take from or return to the shelves, and the credit card they inserted or linked to their Amazon One ID will be charged for items they took after they leave the store. If a guest is new to using the Amazon One palm recognition service, they can enroll in less than a minute at any of the Amazon One enrollment kiosks located near the Just Walk Out technology-enabled stores on the arena’s main and upper concourses.
“For us, the fan experience inside Climate Pledge Arena is paramount; we want it to be simple, safe and fast for every guest,” said Todd Humphrey, SVP of Digital Fan Experience for the Seattle Kraken, via press release. “We are thrilled to work with Amazon to use their groundbreaking technology to make it as easy as hovering your palm, picking an item off a shelf, and leaving to make your purchase.”
We are not talking about a totally unattended store; an attendant will be there for assistance and to monitor alcohol sales. The Just Walk Out technology-enabled stores will sell beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, water, and feature food offerings from The Climate Collective, the arena’s food and beverage program. Guests purchasing alcohol will be required to show their ID to a store attendant for age verification.
Rendering courtesy Climate Pledge Arena.
RELATED STORIES: Climate Pledge Arena cost now $1.15B; Oak View Group adds 5G to new arenas; Climate Pledge Arena concessions: Extreme grab and go; Climate Pledge Arena opening still set for fall 2021; New for 2021: Climate Pledge Arena; New for 2021-2022: Seattle Kraken
