Contactless payments have transformed the event experience, allowing fans to spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying live sports and entertainment. As consumers increasingly expect fast, frictionless transactions, venues are investing in checkout-free technology that combines mobile payments, automation, and advanced sensors to streamline concession purchases.
American Express is embracing this trend with its checkout-free store at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Designed exclusively for American Express cardholders, the grab-and-go shopping experience demonstrates how payment innovation can improve convenience while enhancing customer loyalty and encouraging greater use of contactless payment technologies.
Ever been to a game and missed the big play because you were standing in a long concession stand line? American Express is helping sports fans get back to the action as fast as possible.
The card company is launching its own self-checkout shop at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center, home of the New York Nets. Similar to an Amazon Go type store, customers will find grab-and-go shopping with a seamless payment transaction. There’s only one requirement—only American Express cardholders can enter, so don’t leave home without it.
The following excerpt from a The Points Guy article reports more on the topic:
Following in the footsteps of Amazon’s contactless stores, American Express has opened up its own check-out free store in the Barclay Center arena in Brooklyn. The store, exclusive to Amex cardholders, offers concessions and merchandise to help fans avoid long lines and get back to the action faster. The store is a partnership between Amex and the sports arena to keep fans safe from COVID-19.
According to the American Express Trendex: Experiences Survey, nearly two-thirds of live-entertainment consumers agree that because of COVID-19, contactless payment options have never been more important to them. And 70% say that having a contactless payment option available would make them feel more comfortable returning to live sports, music and entertainment events.
Card members can tap their contactless Amex card, mobile wallet or insert their card to enter the shop. There may be a $1.00 hold on the card, which will be updated after purchases are completed. Technology tracks movements in the store, with each item having a unique weight that is tracked through weight-sensitive shelf sensors.
Checkout-free retail is becoming an increasingly important part of the live entertainment experience, where speed and convenience directly affect customer satisfaction. By combining contactless payments with automated retail technology, American Express is creating added value for its cardholders while showcasing the future of in-venue commerce. As consumer demand for seamless payment experiences continues to grow, similar concepts are likely to become more common across stadiums, arenas, and entertainment venues.
Overview by Raymond Pucci, Director, Merchant Services at Mercator Advisory Group
