Sam’s Club Is Getting Rid of the Checkout Lane — 4 Impacts to Your Shopping Experience and Wallet
Written by
Stephanie Mickelson
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Since 2016, Sam’s Club shoppers have been able to use the Scan & Go feature in the Sam’s Club app to scan their items as they shop and then pay through the app. Now, the retailer is phasing out traditional checkouts from its 600 stores and going all-in on the Scan & Go system.
This change will also include an AI scanner to verify shoppers’ purchases as they leave in lieu of presenting a receipt at the exit, as well as a few other changes.
According to a Walmart article about the Sam’s Club location in Grapevine, Texas, the redesign is intended to make shopping a more enjoyable experience. This shift is poised to change a few things about the shopping experience and how it will affect your wallet.
Streamlined Shopping Experience
Using the Scan & Go system eliminates waiting in line for the next available cashier or self-checkout lane. This means that you can get in and out faster, making the shopping experience more streamlined and convenient.
Another feature is QR codes that make it easy to scan and purchase larger items and set up delivery through the app.
However, this streamlined experience might not always be a plus.
Melanie Musson, a finance expert with Clearsurance, said, “Scan & Go will make spending money easier because of the convenience. The more convenient an experience, the more people spend.”
Better for the Budget
While streamlining the shopping experience can lead to spending more, this system may actually be better for the budget if you use it wisely.
It can be easy to work your way through the store without realizing how much you’re spending, but with the Scan & Go system, Musson pointed out, scanning as you go means you can stop shopping or adjust your purchases when you reach your allotted budget.
Get More Than Groceries
Scan & Go can be used while doing your weekly grocery shopping or monthly stock-up, but it can also be used to purchase from the Cafe while you’re shopping or before you get to the store. This allows you to pick up at the Cafe and be on your way faster.
You can also use it at the fuel pumps by scanning the QR code to get started and pay for fuel.
Lost Jobs
The downside to the shift towards an AI-dominated checkout model is that cashiers may lose their jobs. While it’s not clear how many employees this will affect, if any, it is something to consider as Sam’s Club moves forward with this new model.
At the Grapevine location, for instance, member specialists are stationed at high-top tables near the entrance to assist anyone who needs help with the Scan & Go system. So while it’s possible that jobs will be eliminated, they may also be transformed to better align with the model.
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