The checkout-free concessions stand movement continues to grow, as the Houston Astros announced the addition of two Amazon-powered “Just Walk Out” stands at Minute Maid Park for the current baseball season.
The Just Walk Out technology, which allows customers to pick items and leave without any checkout process, use a prepayment scheme involving either a credit card swiped at the entry or some kind of prepayment sign-up through an app or through a process like Amazon’s Amazon One system, where registered users need only swipe their palm before entering for payment verification. Concession stands using the Amazon technology are already in use at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, at TD Garden in Boston, and at the United Center in Chicago.
According to a press release from the Astros and Amazon, the two stands at Minute Maid Park will offer “a selection of snacks, soda, candy, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.” One of the stores will also offer pre-packaged salads, wine bottles, and souvenirs, according to the team. According to Amazon the Houston stores are the first in a Major League Baseball venue, and are the eighth and ninth Just Walk Out stores in stadiums, with four at Climate Pledge Arena, two at TD Garden and one at the United Center.
Update: Make it two more stores for Amazon in stadiums, with the recent launch of Just Walk Out stands at UBS Arena.
