California-based Zippin has installed what it claims is the first-ever checkout-free store in a theme park in Europe.

Through partner Aramark, it has installed the store at Legoland’s Windsor resort in the UK. The store, which recently opened for the 2024 season, lets visitors grab snacks and drinks without queuing.

The Duplo Coffee store sells sandwiches, snacks, coffee and other drinks. The store was converted into a Zippin-powered store where shoppers can enter with a credit card or mobile wallet, take what they want and leave.

Self-service coffee is made possible through the integration between DraftServ and Zippin. There are no checkout lines and no stopping to scan purchases. Shoppers are automatically billed for what they take as they exit.

“At Aramark, we are committed to elevating the customer experience,” said Helen Milligan-Smith, CEO of Aramark (www.aramark.com) in the UK. “Partnering with Zippin to launch Duplo Coffee represents an exciting milestone in entertainment hospitality. The adoption of this autonomous approach helps meet the needs of guests who want to make the most of their visit to the theme park. Providing flexible food and drink options with ease and efficiency means guests can do just that – focus on making memories with their loved ones across Legoland Windsor Resort. We look forward to seeing how visitors respond to this new format.”

Morgan Edwards, hotel and commercial director at Legoland Windsor (www.legoland.co.uk), added: “We are thrilled to partner with Aramark and Zippin to introduce Duplo Coffee at Legoland Windsor Resort. The cutting-edge concept aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.”

Shoppers who purchase self-service coffee are billed for their individual selections as they leave the store, along with other purchases. This adds a level of personalisation to the frictionless shopping experience, made possible through integration with DraftServ.

“Draftserv is thrilled to participate in another first-ever with our partners at Zippin,” said Jose Hevia, CEO of DraftServ (draftserv.com). “Our technology supports an array of beverage dispensers from around the world, unlocking unlimited possibilities and unmatched scalability as we continue our mission to deliver revolutionary innovation to the world’s top beverage players”

Zippin’s flexible checkout-free platform gives operators the flexibility to support multiple payment options and add capabilities that appeal to customers. The cost of ownership of a Zippin-powered store has fallen to just a third of what it was a few years ago, making the technology more accessible to a broader range of retail segments. Zippin is thus expanding beyond sports and entertainment into markets such as higher education, healthcare campuses, convention centres, business dining and, now, theme parks.

“Zippin makes a lot of sense for theme parks that attract thousands of guests per day,” said Krishna Motukuri, CEO of Zippin. “High-traffic retailers that convert their traditional stores to Zippin technology often see revenue increases of 78% or more. Perhaps more importantly, visitors can enjoy the park’s dining options without waiting in line, so they have more time to ride rides, see shows and do more during their park visit.”

By eliminating the checkout, Zippin (www.getzippin.com) reduces shopping times, often to 30 to 60 seconds. The platform supports high volumes of foot traffic without compromising on accuracy or speed. In many cases, the only thing that limits how quickly people can shop is how quickly employees can restock the store.