Amazon Awarded Patent For Gift Card Sticker

Amazon has reportedly been awarded a design patent that makes it easier for consumers to choose between buying someone a gift or giving them a gift card.

According to a report, the patent Amazon was awarded talks about a removable gift card sticker that could be added to a card or other object, be it a wine bottle or candle. The idea behind the patent is to give a little gift, as well as a gift card, to ensure the recipient is happy.

Take a wine lover, for example. A consumer could pick out a bottle of wine but also affix a gift card sticker to the wine bottle to purchase more wine. That would keep the person happy if the bottle of wine chosen doesn’t mesh with their pallet. According to the report, Amazon filed for the patent in 2014, and while it hasn’t made gift card stickers yet, the patent win could mean it’s gearing up to do that in the future.

The patent awarded to Amazon comes at a time when the eCommerce giant is innovating in many aspects. Just last week, it rolled out Amazon Go, Amazon’s new grocery store format, in Seattle. Right now, its only customers are Amazon employees, who are putting it through its paces, but that will change in early 2017, a spokesperson said. Few details have emerged as to how Amazon Go powers the experience that shoppers will find once they get inside the store, but the combination of the Amazon Go app, a turnstile at the entrance/exit, deep learning and sensors enables a cashier-less, counter-less checkout experience for the consumer. When said consumer leaves the store, the items she purchased will be charged to her Amazon account, and a digital receipt will itemize all of what she bought.