Sam’s Club reveals plan to eliminate checkout lanes completely with major change

New York Post - Apr 19th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Sam's Club, owned by Walmart, is revolutionizing its payment system by eliminating traditional checkouts in favor of a seamless, AI-driven shopping experience across its 600 stores. Shoppers will use the 'Scan & Go' app to scan items, and an AI scanner will verify purchases as they exit, removing the need for receipt checks. This transformation, led by Sam's Club president and CEO Chris Nicholas, aligns with the company's ambition to enhance the member experience and streamline operations. A new store in Grapevine, Texas, already showcases this technology, setting a benchmark for future stores with features like automated forklifts and a pizza robot.

The shift to AI highlights Sam's Club's commitment to innovation and efficiency, contrasting sharply with rival Costco's adherence to traditional checkouts. The integration of AI tools aims to improve operational efficiency and employee engagement, providing more time for meaningful member interactions. This approach is part of a broader strategy to invest in associates, ensuring their development and satisfaction, which in turn boosts customer loyalty. As Walmart explores AI technology, Sam's Club's initiative marks a significant step towards redefining retail through technology and human-centered design.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Sam's Club's strategic shift towards AI-driven checkout systems, with a high level of factual accuracy and clarity. It effectively balances the technological advancements with the company's commitment to its workforce, offering a nuanced perspective on the changes. While the story is well-structured and timely, it could benefit from greater transparency regarding source attribution and the inclusion of diverse perspectives, particularly from employees and customers. The topic is of significant public interest, addressing broader themes of technological innovation and workforce adaptation. Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the future of retail, with the potential to influence public opinion and industry strategies.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on Sam's Club's plan to eliminate traditional checkout lanes and implement AI technology across its stores. Claims such as the rollout of the 'Scan & Go' system and the integration of AI for a frictionless shopping experience are substantiated by multiple sources. The article precisely describes the technology's purpose, such as eliminating receipt checks, and notes the Grapevine, Texas store as the first to implement these changes. However, the story refers to the AI exit system as 'Just Walk'/'Just Go,' which is not consistently verified across all sources, suggesting a slight discrepancy in terminology. Overall, the article's factual claims are well-supported by external verification, indicating a high level of accuracy.

8
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the changes at Sam's Club by highlighting both the technological advancements and the company's commitment to its associates. It mentions the benefits of AI implementation, such as improved efficiency and enhanced member interactions, while also acknowledging the potential impact on traditional checkout roles. However, the story could further explore perspectives from Sam's Club employees or customers to provide a fuller picture of the transition's impact. The mention of Costco's differing approach offers some balance by presenting an alternative viewpoint within the retail industry.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a logical flow of information from the introduction of the technological changes to the implications for Sam's Club and its associates. The language is clear and accessible, avoiding technical jargon that could confuse readers. Key points are effectively highlighted, such as the role of AI in enhancing the shopping experience and the company's investment in its workforce. The use of direct quotes from company executives adds clarity and authority to the narrative.

8
Source quality

The story appears to be based on credible sources, including statements from Sam's Club's president and CEO, Chris Nicholas. The article references a recent investment community meeting, suggesting reliance on primary source material. However, the lack of direct citations or links to specific documents or press releases limits the ability to fully assess the authority and reliability of the sources used. The inclusion of competitor information about Costco adds depth but would benefit from direct quotes or data to enhance source quality.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of Sam's Club's strategic changes, including the reasons behind the adoption of AI technology. However, it lacks explicit details on the methodology used to gather information or the specific sources consulted. While the story includes quotes from company leadership, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the basis for certain claims, such as the exact timeline for the rollout across all stores. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-technology/sam-s-club-s-600-location-remodel-will-eliminate-cashiers
  2. https://www.thestreet.com/retail/sams-club-making-major-checkout-and-payment-change
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNbJ0PX3ztU
  4. https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/corpus-christi/southside/sams-club-plans-to-eliminate-all-checkout-lanes-and-self-checkout-in-favor-of-scan-go
  5. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/sams-club-scan-go-texas-20274952.php