Since November 2005, customers of the Edeka supermarket chain in the city of Ruenkem (southwest Germany) have been enjoying this state-of-the-art technology.
Customers at the Edeka supermarket no longer need to carry cash, and the payment method is unlike any other: they simply place their thumb on a scanner located at the checkout and leave the store.
Of course, to enjoy such convenient shopping, all customers must first register with the supermarket, providing their identification number, fingerprint, and credit card information.
This technology is based on comparing the customer’s fingerprint with stored data linked to their account details.
The management of Edeka has expressed strong confidence in this system, noting that it saves a significant amount of time for both customers and the supermarket, especially as long lines at checkout become increasingly common in today’s retail environment.
