The NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets have opened a Zippin-powered checkout-free concession stand at Nationwide Arena, the 50th stadium store for the San Mateo, Calif.-based startup.
Judging from photos of the new stand sent to us by the company, the “Bread Financial Score & Go” store (operated by Delaware North) is of the newer Zippin Lane variety, a smaller-footprint stand that focuses on beverages. According to a press release, the stand will offer soft drinks, water, and domestic and craft beer in the unique checkout-free format, where fans scan a credit card at the entry, select the items they want, and leave, with billing taking place later.
According to our research, it is the first Zippin store in an NHL arena; the company does already have stores in NFL, NBA and MLB venues, as well as other sports locations. In the market of checkout-free providers, Zippin leads its closest competitor Amazon, which has 31 of its “Just Walk Out” stores in sports stadiums.
“The Blue Jackets are thrilled to offer our fans and guests of Nationwide Arena a new, fast-paced concession experience for a fast-paced game. Fans will not miss a second of the action thanks to the Bread Financial Score & Go,” said Blue Jackets chief operating officer Cameron Scholvin, in a prepared statement. According to the press release, the “Bread Financial Boulevard” is the primary concession area of Nationwide Arena, and was renamed as part of the team’s partnership with the financial services provider announced last October.
For more analysis of the checkout-free market, read our feature from last summer.
