Sam's Club Accelerates Member Exits by 23% With AI Rollout
Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, has completed the deployment of its artificial intelligence and computer vision-powered exit system to all of its approximately 600 U.S. warehouse clubs. The technology, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, allows members using the "Scan & Go" app to bypass traditional receipt checks at the exit. According to the company, the system has reduced the time members spend leaving the club by 23%.
In locations where the technology has been active, more than half of members are now using the friction-free exit. This move is part of a larger strategy to phase out traditional checkout lanes entirely, replacing them with a mobile-first, app-based payment system. The AI scanners verify purchases as customers leave, addressing a major friction point in the warehouse shopping experience and aiming to increase member satisfaction and loyalty.
Costco's Manual Fixes Trail in $2.28 Billion Self-Checkout Race
While Sam's Club pushes ahead with automation, rival Costco has been implementing more manual solutions to address checkout congestion. Costco CEO Ron Vachris reported that initiatives like pre-scanning baskets have improved checkout speeds by up to 20% in certain warehouses. However, this approach still relies heavily on employee labor and does not match the fully automated, frictionless experience now standard at Sam's Club.
The competitive divergence occurs as the self-checkout market expands rapidly. The North American market for these systems is estimated at $2.28 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to over $5 billion by 2030. With data showing 84% of U.S. consumers prefer self-service options, Sam's Club's technological investment places direct pressure on Costco to innovate or risk being perceived as lagging in a critical area of customer experience.
