Amazon hits Subscribe & Save milestone, begins accepting palm pay for alcohol

Amazon is taking a victory lap this week with the announcement that it has saved customers more than $1 billion this year with its discounted subscription service that lets customers schedule regular deliveries of products like diapers, detergent, toilet paper and coffee. 

The Seattle-based retail giant said the program has attracted tens of millions of subscribers, who save as much as 15% on their orders.  

There's no fee for the subscription service, and orders include free shipping, the company said. “You can even unlock extra savings—up to 15% off—on eligible subscriptions when you receive five or more subscriptions in one auto-delivery,” Amazon said.

The company noted that over the last year, the service has included the sale of: 

“I’m proud of the more than $1 billion in savings we’ve been able to deliver to customers around the world through Subscribe & Save in the last 12 months,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. “We have tens of millions of global Subscribe & Save subscribers benefitting not only from savings, but also from the ease that Subscribe & Save offers—me included. Features like this are a great example of how we are working to bring greater selection, more savings, and convenience to customers.” 

Meanwhile, Amazon is also making headlines this week with an upgrade to its Amazon One palm reading identification service. The service, available at select Amazon stores and Whole Foods locations, enables shoppers at brick-and-mortar locations to pay by swiping their hand instead of their credit cards.  

With the upgrade, shoppers can pay for alcohol with their palm without having to show their ID to prove their age, the company said. Amazon One users must upload a photo of the front and back of their IDs to participate. 

The palm reading devices are also beginning to appear at brick-and-mortar locations other than Amazon and Whole Foods stores, the company noted. Coors Field in Denver is already accepting Amazon One palm orders at its SandLot Brewery and Silver Bullet Bar. 

“At Coors Field, we have always prided ourselves in putting customer experience first. As the first sports stadium to enable cutting-edge palm recognition technology like Amazon One for age verification, we are enabling a friction-free experience for Colorado Rockies fans so they can grab a drink and get back to the game faster,” said John McKay, senior director of food service operations and development for the Colorado Rockies, in a statement. “Hearing from Amazon One customers across the country, we understand that they love the convenience it delivers: shorter wait times, quick access to buildings and locations, being able to link their loyalty memberships, and now an easy way to grab their beer.” 

Amazon One is currently available in more than 100 Whole Foods Market stores and select Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go locations.  The company recently expanded the service to 11 Whole Foods locations in the Denver area. 

* This story was updated to reflect that shipping is included with Subscribe & Save orders.