Cub Foods West Region Launches Biometric Payment Technology in All Stores; Customers Can Purchase Groceries With the Touch of a Finger.

STILLWATER, Minn. -- Cub Foods West Region announced today that it is launching biometric payment technology in all of its 65 stores, including the Twin Cities. The new technology, provided by Pay By Touch, is free to shoppers and will allow them to pay for their groceries with a finger scan that is linked to their financial accounts. Eliminating the need to carry a wallet or checkbook in the store, the new system provides customers with greater convenience, security and speed at checkout. The biometric payment technology will be available in all Cub West Region stores by Nov. 30.

"Our goal is to serve our customers better than any grocer could," said Brian Huff, president of Cub Foods West Region. "Providing proven innovations and technologies--that give customers greater convenience and added security--is part of our commitment. To that end, we're thrilled to be the first grocer in Minnesota to offer customers the Pay By Touch system."

Today's announcement marks the end of a four-month pilot program of the biometric payment technology that began at Cub Foods stores in Blaine, Eagan, Lakeville and Rosemount. The decision to expand the service was based on enthusiastic customer response.

"Consumers across the country are embracing Pay By Touch, because it makes the shopping experience convenient and secure," said John Rogers, founder, chairman and CEO of Pay By Touch. "Cub Foods has paved the way for biometric payments in Minnesota and Iowa."

How It Works

Shoppers can use Pay By Touch after a quick one-time sign-up at a special kiosk located in Cub stores. Signing up is simple and consists of providing identification, a voided check or EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card and a finger scan. The Pay By Touch technology does not use actual fingerprints. It creates a set of 40 data points that cannot be reverse engineered into a fingerprint. The data points are encrypted and converted into a mathematical equation that allows for a secure identity match at the point of sale. The system is highly secure and customer information is never sold.

Shoppers enrolled in the Pay By Touch service can use their finger to purchase products at any Cub Foods store. To pay for goods, shoppers simply place their finger on a scanner at the cash register. The system then displays the individual's electronic wallet, which contains the payment options available to them. Current options include eCheck (a direct debit from an existing checking account) and EBT. Additional options, such as credit cards, may be added at a later date.

About Pay By Touch

Pay By Touch Solutions' biometric payment product is free to consumers and enables shoppers to quickly and securely pay for purchases or cash checks using a finger scan linked to their personal identification information, financial accounts and loyalty programs. Pay By Touch Solutions offers retailers a complete payment solution, from front-end biometric authentication, age verification and check cashing to payment processing merchant services for ACH and debit and credit card transactions. The privately-held company's biometric payment products enjoy the unique protection of more than two-dozen U.S. issued patents. For additional information, visit www.paybytouch.com.

About Cub Foods

Cub Foods--The Store Next Door--provides consumers with the freshest produce, widest selection and greatest value available today. In addition to innovative natural, ethnic and certified organic food sections, Cub stores offer shoppers added conveniences, such as in-store pharmacy and banking. Cub Foods was established in 1968 as one of the nation's first discount grocery stores. The organization was purchased in 1980 by SUPERVALU and currently operates 52 stores in the Twin Cities.