Walmart’s Sam’s Club division has developed what it describes as “next-level” scan and go technology in its Dallas-based innovation lab that will enable members to recognize products from any angle without requiring them to search for a barcode on the package. The membership warehouse club retailer has filed a patent for its new mobile-first shopping experience and will soon allow members to test it beginning this spring using the Sam’s Club Now app.
In a blog post on Sam’s Club’s website, Eddie Garcia, VP of product and member experience, said that the retailer anticipates incorporating the same technology, which uses computer vision and machine learning, for associates to use as well to improve productivity and make it easier to serve members.
“At its core, Sam’s Club Now will be a technology lab that doubles as a live, retail club. It’s where we will incubate, test and refine technologies to help define the future of retail,” Garcia said. “The future of retail is as much about people as it is about technology.
“Our associates are key to bringing this experience to life, which is why we’re introducing a new role called the member host,” who Garcia said will serve as “the concierge of the club. We’ll empower them with new technology that will allow them to serve members better and faster. We’ve known for a long time our associates make the difference, and that won’t change just because shopping preferences evolve.”
In the run-up to the rollout, Jamie Iannone, CEO and EVP of membership and technology for Sam’s Club, said last fall that the club retailer’s new tech will provide “a mobile-first shopping experience powered by the new Sam’s Club Now app,” which also “doubles as a live retail club.”
Since launching our Scan & Go app two years ago, we’ve seen its popularity continue to increase,” said Garcia, noting that “more than 90% of members who try Scan & Go use it again on their next trip, and regular use is up 40% this year.”
During the test launch of Scan & Go, Sam’s tech team will refine and add existing and new features before the national rollout, according to Garcia.
Highlights of the app include:
- Smart shopping lists curated from “intuitive technology that combines machine learning and purchase data to auto-fill a member’s shopping list,” which will enable them to “easily add or remove things; as items are scanned the list will automatically update and move the item to their mobile basket,” Garcia said.
- Wayfinding and navigation that uses “voice search capabilities combined with new wayfinding and navigation features,” which will trigger a pop-up map to direct members to what they need. Down the road, the retailer will expand it with “beacon technology and a member’s smart shopping list to map the best route through the club,” Garcia said.
- Augmented reality: Sam’s will “bring items to life in the club by sharing new ways to use them,” and will “integrate stories that highlight cool features, including how items are sourced,” said Garcia.
- One-hour Club Pickup: Members can place and pickup an order within an hour using the app.
Garcia and Sam’s Club previewed the new technology at the ongoing ShopTalk event this week in Las Vegas.