The change is closer than many customers imagine. Sam's Club, the United States chain, has taken a step that will transform the way millions of people do their shopping. What has been customary within its establishments will soon cease to exist.
Although the environment and products will remain familiar, the payment experience will no longer be the same. A technological renewal is approaching that not only aims to streamline processes but also to modify a deeply ingrained customer habit. From now on, the traditional method that involved stopping before leaving will give way to a new dynamic.
Goodbye to self-checkout lanes: Sam's Club bets on artificial intelligence
Sam's Club has confirmed that it will remove the well-known self-checkout areas in all its United States establishments. Instead, a completely different system will be implemented, based on artificial intelligence and mobile functions. This decision was announced by the company's president, Chris Nicholas, in a recent meeting with investors.
The new system is called Scan & Go and has been available since April 2024 through the company's mobile app. It allows customers to scan their products with their phones, pay from the app, and leave the store directly without stopping at any checkout. It's a proposal that eliminates intermediate steps and aims to make shopping more fluid, fast, and autonomous.
Additionally, to ensure there are no errors in the process, Sam's Club will install artificial intelligence scanners at the exit of each store. These devices will automatically verify that all items were paid for correctly, eliminating the manual ticket review by staff. It's an automatic control that guarantees security without hindering the passage, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Advantages and challenges of Sam's Club's new Scan & Go system
Among the main benefits of the system is time savings. Customers will no longer have to queue or go through self-checkout machines, which will reduce waiting during peak hours. Autonomy is also promoted, as the entire process can be completed from the mobile without needing to interact with staff.
Another advantage is the improvement in security and control, thanks to the use of advanced technology that reviews each transaction upon exit. Additionally, physical contact is reduced, something that continues to be valued in environments where hygiene matters. The shopping experience becomes cleaner, faster, and simpler.
However, not everything is advantageous. To access the new system, it is necessary to have a smartphone and the Sam's Club app installed. This could make its use difficult for older people or those not familiar with technology. For now, the company has not announced alternative solutions for this group, leaving certain doubts open.
This shift is part of a broader strategy that seeks to modernize all aspects of the chain. Sam's Club also plans to open new establishments, renovate its current spaces, and offer more complete experiences.