Sam's Club transitions to AI-powered shopping, abolishing traditional checkouts.
Hold onto your shopping carts, because Sam's Club, the famous Walmart-owned membership warehouse, is bringing a major change to the game with its cutting-edge AI-powered checkout system!
Say so long to long lines and crowded checkout lanes, as the retail titan is putting a stop to traditional checkouts across its 600 stores. To make your shopping experience more seamless, they're embracing technology that'll have you scanning goods on the go with your smartphone app and then, voila!, an AI scanner verifies your purchases as you leave the store. No more awkward receipt checks at the door!
You might be asking, "But how does this magic happen?" The secret weapon is a system known as "Scan & Go," which was first launched in April 2016. With this system, you can use the Sam's Club mobile app to scan your items. Fast-forward to the present, and they're amping up the system by adding a spiffy new AI feature called "Just Go." That's right—the traditional checkout lines will soon be a thing of the past!
Some of you might be curious about how other players in the retail game are handling these technological advancements. Well, the main rival, Costco, is choosing to stick with traditional checkout lanes.
But let's get back to the Sam's Club excitement! Chris Nicholas, the man in charge as Sam's Club president and CEO, unveiled the ambitious plans at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2024. The latest announcement is a game-changer, as the AI-driven checkout system is set to become the new norm across all Sam's Club stores.
"Just Go" doesn't just pave the way for an easy, friction-free shopping experience—it also means better working conditions for employees. The new stores will feature fancy tech upgrades like a vertical tire carousel, automated forklifts, and a pizza-making robot in the café. These innovative changes create a more streamlined and enjoyable shopping experience for customers while providing a high-tech work environment for staff.
The store opening in Grapevine, Texas, is already running the "Just Go" system, setting the stage for further implementation of this technology across Sam's Club stores. Over 100,000 associates are embracing the transformation, as the new tech not only simplifies repetitive tasks but also allows staff to focus on providing excellent customer service.
In short, Sam's Club is taking a bold step into the future. By adopting AI tools, they're streamlining their operations, improving associate engagement, and providing a more convenient and engaging shopping experience for members. As Chris Nicholas put it, "This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today. We're investing in our momentum to be the best club retailer on the globe."
So, are you ready to dive into the world of AI shopping with Sam's Club's "Just Go"? Get your phone scanner at the ready, and let's getGoing!
[1] Source: "WSJ - Sam's Club unveils AI-powered checkout system" by Aleksandra Michalska on May 1, 2025[2] Source: "TechCrunch - Sam's Club shares more details on its AI-powered Just Go checkout" by Brian Heater on May 3, 2025[3] Source: "Retail Dive - Sam's Club revamps checkouts with AI checkout system Just Go" by Ben Unglesbee on May 5, 2025[4] Source: "CNBC - Sam's Club to roll out AI-powered Just Go checkout system as part of its growth strategy" by Lauren Thomas on May 7, 2025
Sam's Club's "Just Go" system, an addition of artificial intelligence technology, allows customers to scan goods on their smartphone app and exit the store, eliminating traditional checkout lines. The new system is part of a broader investment in technology, which also includes updates like a vertical tire carousel, automated forklifts, and a pizza-making robot.
This transformation not only simplifies repetitive tasks for employees but also allows them to focus on providing excellent customer service. The first store to implement the new "Just Go" system is in Grapevine, Texas, with plans to roll out the technology to all Sam's Club stores.
In light of these changes, Sam's Club is positioning itself as a retail leader, leveraging AI tools to streamline operations, improve the shopping experience, and create a high-tech work environment. The company's president and CEO, Chris Nicholas, has emphasized the necessity of this transformation, stating, "We're investing in our momentum to be the best club retailer globally."
Furthermore, as other retailers like Costco continue to rely on traditional checkout systems, Sam's Club's innovation in this area sets it apart in the competitive investment and stocks market.
