Bentonville, Arkansas – Sam’s Club, a division of retail giant Walmart, is set to revolutionize the shopping experience for its members nationwide. The company plans to implement AI-powered technology at the exits of all 600 locations by the end of 2024, drastically reducing wait times for customers.
The AI-powered scanning system, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, captures images of carts and verifies payment for all items in a member’s basket. This innovative technology has already been rolled out at 20% of Sam’s Club stores, with promising results – over half of customers have already used the new scanners, leading to a 23% reduction in wait times for all members.
In a statement, Sam’s Club highlighted the success of its in-house developed AI exit technology, calling it the largest-scale implementation of member-facing AI-powered technology in the retail industry. The company emphasized that this new tech not only streamlines the customer’s experience but also allows associates to focus more on assisting customers rather than manning the exits.
Notably, Sam’s Club took a subtle jab at its competitors, noting that while they have quickly deployed the new technology, other retailers have struggled to implement similar AI-powered systems at scale. Some competitors have even abandoned their efforts, only starting initial pilots, or having no plans to enhance customer experiences through checkout and store exit technologies.
Overall, this move by Sam’s Club represents a significant step towards modernizing the shopping experience for its members, showcasing the company’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve customer satisfaction. With the widespread adoption of AI-powered exit scanners, Sam’s Club is poised to set a new standard in the retail industry, setting itself apart from the competition.