Seattle shoppers let their fingers do the paying

Thriftway Supermarket in Seattle is the first retailer to install a fingertip payment system running on IBM's SurePOS ACE retail software.

With IBM's new SurePOS 700 Series point-of-sale systems running IBM SurePOS ACE software, shoppers at Thriftway Supermarket can buy groceries simply by providing a fingerprint image linked to their financial accounts and loyalty programs. A shopper selects which account he wants to use, the transaction is processed as if a card or check has been presented, and rewards points are automatically recognized and awarded.

The checkout routine is faster, helps protect customers from identity theft and eliminates the need for shoppers to carry cash, a checkbook or multiple credit cards. And the upgrade to the SurePOS ACE application means Thriftway can take advantage of enhanced security features and faster checkout times.

For more security, shoppers' Pay By Touch digital wallet information is stored off-site at IBM data centers.

"We've seen many operational improvements from using the Pay By Touch system, including fraud reduction and increased transaction speed," said Paul Kapioski, President and Owner of Thriftway Supermarkets

By IBM