In the battle for the future of shopping, Sam's Club Making a bet Artificial intelligence.
Since January Walmart– Proprietary retailer introduces AI-powered check this out Technology at over 120 stores.
Using a combination of AI, computer vision and digital tech, Sam's Club's system identifies what's in the shopping cart, confirming that customers paid for their items without requiring an associate to check their purchases before leaving the store. Is. Technology, first unveiled at Consumer Electronics Showpromises to transform the grocery shopping experience.
“The success of this deployment stems from this immediate improvement in the Sam's Club member experience,” a Sam's Club spokesperson told PYMNTS. “Since its implementation, more than half of members in clubs equipped with this technology experience a seamless exit process, resulting in 23% faster exit times for all members. Additionally, Member satisfaction with checkout speed has increased by 11%. Club. Sam's of the club The unique position of being the first retailer to mass-deploy and develop this technology in-house has allowed them to effectively address member concerns. The exit technology is planned to be rolled out to all clubs by the end of 2024.
This initiative builds on Sam's Club's existing digital solutions, e.g Scan and go.. Sam's Club and Walmart debuted Scan & Go in some stores in 2017, with Sam's Club filing a patent for the Scan & Go tech in 2019. This technology allows the retailer's customers to Mobile app Scan your phone to fill your cart and exit the store, with the receipt coming digitally.
Many retailers have explored AI checkout technology. Amazon, for example, is changing its consumption space. AI system which allows customers to exit stores without paying.
“Amazon Go has been perfecting the technology for nearly a decade, and now convenience stores are starting to adopt it, too. Carol GrunbergChief Business Officer at a payment software company Uno, told PYMNTS. This is not just a glimpse of the future. It's already here.”
Combating theft
Sam's Club It has seen early success in deploying its AI and computer vision technology as it tackles one of the biggest challenges of scan-and-go technology, which is theft. Yaniv Zuckermanon Chief Marketing Officer Cust2Matewhich makes computerized shopping cart systems, told PYMNTS. By integrating these technologies, Sam's Club can provide an autonomous checkout solution that reduces theft without adding friction to the shopper, he said.
Furthermore, Stores may reallocate employees to other areas, such as customer service or store management.They said.
“For customers, this technology offers a seamless and faster shopping experience, reducing waiting times and eliminating the need for manual checks at exit points,” he said. “However, AI systems tend to focus more on streamlining transactions rather than enhancing customer interaction or providing added value through personal engagement.”
Benefits for consumers
A company spokesperson said the AI checkout technology at Sam's Club eliminates one concern for customers: waiting in line to verify a receipt at the exit.
“With AI-enhanced performance, this digital innovation not only streamlines the checkout process but also allows our associates to focus on customer support, ensuring a pleasant shopping experience,” the spokesperson said. Gives.”
AI checkouts can benefit retailers by processing transactions faster, João Diogo Falcaoin Chief Technology Officer AI-Fi, which makes autonomous checkout tech, told PYMNTS. Additionally, this technology frees up staff to focus on more valuable tasks, rather than checking receipts or scanning items at checkout.
“It's clear that people are ready and eager to have this kind of technology in them. Types of environment,” he said. “There is a willingness, and this type of Adopting the technology is easy and very intuitive.”
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