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Warehouse retail giant Sam’s Club, owned by Walmart, is implementing a significant shift in its grocery payment system by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the checkout process. The membership-based retailer is set to revolutionize the shopping experience across its locations nationwide.
Streamlining Checkout with AI: Sam’s Club Embraces “Scan & Go”
The company intends to gradually eliminate traditional checkout lanes in all 600 of its stores to foster a more seamless shopping journey. This transformation will empower customers to scan products using a mobile application as they shop. An AI-powered verification system will then autonomously confirm purchases as members exit, removing the necessity for manual receipt checks. This innovative approach is designed to create a frictionless checkout experience.
“Scan & Go” System and “Just Walk Out” Technology
Initially introduced in April 2024, the “Scan & Go” system allows Sam’s Club members to utilize the mobile app for in-store scanning. The latest development incorporates an AI verification component, referred to as “Just Walk Out” or “Just Go” exit technology. This advanced system will ultimately lead to the phasing out of conventional checkout options.
Leadership Vision for Retail Transformation
These strategic plans were disclosed by Chris Nicholas, President and CEO of Sam’s Club, during the company’s 2025 Investment Community Meeting. Nicholas emphasized the company’s ambitious growth objectives and its commitment to technological advancement in retail.
“This represents one of the most rapid and scalable transformations currently unfolding in the retail sector,” Nicholas stated. “We are making deliberate investments in our infrastructure, our associates, and the member experience, with the aim of becoming the premier club retailer globally.”
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Grapevine, Texas Store: A Blueprint for the Future
Sam’s Club highlighted its recently inaugurated store in Grapevine, Texas, as an example of this new direction. This location is already equipped with the “Just Walk Out” system and is intended to “set the standard” for future club locations. The store design prioritizes speed, efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Enhanced Store Design and Automation
The Grapevine store also integrates AI to optimize the working environment for employees. Upgrades include a vertical tire carousel, automated forklifts, and a robotic pizza maker in the food court, illustrating a commitment to retail automation.
In a December press release, the company described the store as “a place where human-centered design and technology converge with convenience and discovery, offering a preview of the future of retail.”
Walmart’s Broader AI Strategy
Parent company Walmart is actively experimenting with AI technology, carefully evaluating both the potential benefits and risks associated with its implementation across various operations.
Competitive Landscape: Costco’s Traditional Approach
In contrast to Sam’s Club’s embrace of AI, Costco, its primary competitor in the membership warehouse space, is maintaining its reliance on traditional checkout lanes. This divergence in strategy highlights different approaches to enhancing customer experience in the competitive retail market.
Associates and the Human Element
Sam’s Club emphasized that its 100,000 employees remain a crucial element of the company’s ongoing success and evolution, even with the introduction of new technologies.
Empowering Associates and Enhancing Member Experience
The company stated that incorporating AI-driven tools to automate routine tasks has boosted operational effectiveness and employee engagement. Sam’s Club has also invested in improved wages and career advancement opportunities for its workforce.
Sam’s Club believes this technological shift will free up associates to dedicate more time to improving member interactions and overall satisfaction.
Focus on Member Loyalty
“When a member experiences a meaningful and positive interaction with an associate, they are more inclined to renew their membership and maintain their loyalty,” Nicholas concluded. “We are cultivating a culture that supports our associates as much as our members, as this is fundamental to our continued success.”