Climate Pledge Arena expands availability of palm-based payment
The home arena of the Seattle Kraken professional hockey franchise is rolling out Amazon One palm-based payment technology at more stores.
Initially announced in June 2020 and opened in October 2021, Climate Pledge Arena is a redevelopment of downtown Seattle’s KeyArena. The name refers to The Climate Pledge, launched in 2019 by Amazon and climate change network Global Optimism, which calls on signatories to be net-zero carbon across their businesses by 2040.
Climate Pledge Arena has been using Amazon's Just Walk Out technology with Amazon One palm-based payment to make the in-arena shopping experience more efficient and cut wait times. Since opening, customers visiting four Just Walk Out-enabled stores at Climate Pledge Arena have been able to 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, customers can take what they want and then leave after they're done shopping. As customers 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.
Now, the arena is expanding use of Amazon One at three more concession areas inside the facility. Amazon One is now available as a standalone payment option at the Modelo Cantina, Metropolitan Grill, and 1st Ave Nachos stores inside Climate Pledge Arena.
If a customer is new to using Amazon One, they can enroll in less than a minute at any of the Amazon One enrollment kiosks located outside the three concession areas, or at any of the Just Walk Out technology-enabled stores within the arena. A total of 18 Amazon One devices will be available as a payment option at the three concession areas, beginning with the Kraken’s NHL home season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Oct 15.
The expansion of Amazon One as a POS option at the venue is a collaboration between Amazon, Climate Pledge Arena hospitality partner Delaware North, the Seattle Kraken NHL team, and arena owner/operator Oak View Group.
Frictionless shopping is becoming an increasingly popular offering at athletic and entertainment venues across the country. The Toyota Center in Houston, home arena of the Houston Rockets pro basketball team, has installed two Zippin Lanes turnkey frictionless stores. Venues including Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas also offer Zippin Lanes checkout-free stores.
“We are excited Climate Pledge Arena is doubling down on their commitment to enable a fast and frictionless shopping experience for their guests during concerts and games,” said Dilip Kumar, VP AWS Applications. “Expanding the use of Amazon One as a payment option at Climate Pledge Arena will help reduce lines for guests waiting to pay, as well as remove the need for them to carry a wallet, handbag, or credit card whenever they want to step away from the action to purchase food and refreshments.”
“We’ve received incredible feedback on Amazon One from our fans and we’re delighted to expand the technology to more areas inside Climate Pledge Arena,” said Todd Humphrey, SVP, Digital Innovation and Fan Experience for the Seattle Kraken. “Giving our fans a simple, safe, and fast experience at the arena is a priority for us, and we’re thrilled to deepen our relationship with Amazon to enable a unique, memorable, and hyper-convenient retail experience inside the arena.”