South Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) has partnered with concessionaire Delaware North and Amazon to open a new store that offers checkout-free shopping. This means that customers can quickly purchase items such as candy, beverages, and paperback books without having to wait in line to pay. Although customers still have to pay for their merchandise, this new shopping concept eliminates the need to stand in line at the checkout counter. This innovation could potentially be implemented in supermarkets as well.
Unlike self-checkout systems where customers scan their own items, this new store at FLL utilizes a different process. Customers use their credit cards to register at a turnstile upon entering the store. Then, when they select their desired items and place them into an approved container, the credit card with which they registered is automatically charged. After shopping, customers can simply walk out of the store, and a receipt detailing their purchases will be emailed to them. This convenience store concept is especially relevant at airports, where there is a constant flow of people looking to grab a quick beverage or snack before their flights.
Although this checkout-free shopping concept is currently being tested at the airport, it remains to be seen how successful it will be. However, if it proves to be effective, it could potentially revolutionize the way people shop not only at airports but also at supermarkets.
