Sam's Club AI exit scanner (Photo from the company)
Sam’s Club’s new AI system can seamlessly confirm members have paid for all items in their shopping carts. The first-of-its-kind technology could be in all 600 locations later this year.
Sam’s Club customers, or members as they refer to their patrons, will soon be able to save a little time heading out of the store, no longer waiting in line to have their receipts checked.
Taking up the slack will be a first-of-its-kind application of AI and computer vision technology to enable a seamless exit at Sam’s Club. The company hopes to deliver new levels of convenience by leveraging the technology to eliminate queuing at the club’s exit area.
“The move to use digital solutions to drive a better member experience builds on Sam’s Club’s existing technologies, such as Scan & Go™, to provide members with a more convenient shopping experience and differentiate Sam’s Club as a segment innovator,” the company said in the announcement this week.
Chris Nicholas, CEO of Sam’s Club, said the implementation comes through listening to feedback from its members, putting their needs at the center of everything, and then applying digital innovations to deliver an industry-leading member experience.
“We are constantly looking at ways for Sam’s Club to be the most convenient membership club and will continue to prioritize using technology to provide a truly differentiated and delightful experience for our members,” said Nicholas.
Sam’s Club is running pilots of the new technology across 10 of its locations. The company says the AI system can seamlessly confirm members have paid for all items in their shopping carts – without requiring an associate to check members’ purchases before leaving the store. A combination of computer vision and digital technology deployed in the exit area of the store captures images of carts and verifies payment for all items within a member’s basket.
“With AI working in the background to continually speed the process, this digital innovation not only streamlines the member’s exit, but also allows exit greeters to refocus their time and expertise to assisting members and ensuring they have an enjoyable shopping experience,” the company said.
The company said it will continue iterating and enhancing the technology through early 2024, with the intent of rapidly expanding it to its nearly 600 clubs by the end of the year.
Sam’s Clubs in Mississippi are located in Gulfport, Meridian, Madison, Pearl, Hattiesburg, Southaven and Tupelo.
Frank Corder
