The system uses a combination of computer vision and digital tech to capture images of customers’ carts and verify payment for the items. AI is used to speed up the process, learning and improving over time as it analyzes thousands of exit transactions. The new solution keeps customers moving and frees up store staff to focus on other tasks. The company also subtly criticized Amazon, noting that other retailers have struggled to deploy similar technology at scale.
Key takeaways:
- Sam's Club is using AI to speed up its exit technology, allowing customers who pay at a register or through the Scan & Go mobile app to leave the store without having their purchases double-checked.
- The technology, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, has been deployed at over 120 clubs across the U.S., which is 20% of the total number of Sam’s Club locations.
- The system works via a combination of computer vision and digital tech that captures images of customers’ carts and then verifies payment for the items in their basket. The AI also learns and improves over time as thousands of exit transactions across locations are analyzed.
- Sam's Club subtly criticized Amazon in their announcement, noting that other retailers have struggled to deploy similar technology at scale, with some abandoning efforts — a clear reference to Amazon’s pullback on Just Walk Out.