Biometric payments 'make stores more distinctive destinations for shoppers, boosting their resilience'

Juniper Research is forecasting a substantial growth of 138% in the number of transactions carried out via biometric enabled PoS terminals, up from 19.5 billion in 2023.

It says that in-store biometrics can enable a better consumer experience; allowing retailers to create a highly differentiated physical offering.

This differentiation is key for the under pressure bricks and mortar retail sector, which faces stronger than ever competition from e-commerce, alongside reduced consumer spending, due to the cost-of-living crisis in many markets.

Juniper Research’s Melissa Amouny says: “The physical nature of bricks and mortar stores is one of its only remaining competitive edges, therefore stores must implement convenient payment methods like biometrics to maximise this.”

“These changes will make retail stores more distinctive destinations for shoppers, boosting their resilience.”

While biometric payment systems have high initial costs, they can deliver a return on investment in the longer term by further automating checkout processes.

While retailers are reluctant to invest at a time of strict budgetary controls, Juniper Research argues that they must prioritise investments in this area now to ensure they do not get left behind by more agile competitors.

Crunch Fitness

Last year, Crunch Fitness became the first fitness brand to introduce the Amazon One palm recognition service as an entry option for its members. This is now available at select locations in the US.

Members who choose this option no longer need their Crunch membership tags or mobile app to enter. They can instead hover their palm over an Amazon One device to enter a facility.

Amazon One is currently being piloted at nine Crunch clubs across the US, including five in San Francisco, three in the New York City, and one in the Los Angeles area, with more locations rolling out the technology in the coming months.

Crunch has been piloting the solution for the last four months. It says that at participating gyms, 80% of members are already using Amazon One for entry.

"We are thrilled to be the first fitness brand and gym to offer Amazon One as an entry option," said Molly Long, Crunch Fitness Chief Experience Officer.

"Implementing Amazon One at Crunch gyms has been a win-win for our members and for our team. The feedback from our members has been positive - they appreciate the ability to enter the gym swiftly and efficiently without the need to remember to bring their membership key tag or open the mobile app."

"The fast growing adoption of Amazon One at Crunch Fitness centres showcases the versatility of our palm recognition service, and how it can be used as a quick and convenient entry option in gyms and fitness centres across the country," says Sanjay Dash, Vice President of Identity and Checkout Technologies, AWS Applications.

"With Amazon One, Crunch members have a fast and innovative way to validate their membership, and get to their workout without the hassle of carrying membership tags or using their mobile app."