Walmart and its membership‑based subsidiary Sam’s Club are increasingly embracing Scan & Go technology — a solution that lets customers use their smartphones to scan items as they shop and pay directly in a mobile app, skipping many traditional checkout hassles. While Walmart’s exact rollout varies by store, tests in places like New Jersey show stores encouraging mobile checkout options over traditional checkout lanes in some high‑traffic locations.

At Sam’s Club, Scan & Go has been a significant part of the shopping experience for years and continues to expand. Members can scan items through the Sam’s Club app as they shop, then complete payment on their phones, bypassing long lines and enhancing convenience. According to Sam’s Club, adoption has grown sharply, with a 50% increase in usage over recent years.

Sam’s Club is taking Scan & Go a step further with AI‑powered exit technology that verifies purchases automatically as members leave the store — eliminating the need for manual receipt checks or staff verification at the door. This technology uses computer vision to identify items in carts as people walk out, making exits faster and more seamless. It’s already deployed in a significant number of clubs and is expected to reach all locations soon.

This expansion reflects a broader industry trend wherein retailers use advanced tech — like AI and automatic recognition — to reduce friction in the shopping journey, saving time for customers and freeing up staff to focus on service rather than manual scanning.

One core benefit of Scan & Go is that shoppers see their running total as they scan items, helping them manage budgets and avoid surprises at checkout. Retail reporting highlights that this feature improves shopper confidence and enables more deliberate purchase decisions. It encourages awareness of spending as customers move through the store.

Walmart’s continued push into mobile scanning aligns with its strategy to integrate digital tools into traditional in‑store experiences — letting customers use their own devices to move at their own pace rather than waiting in line.

At Sam’s Club, Scan & Go isn’t just checkout tech — it’s becoming a platform for in‑app digital retail media. Display ads now show up on the cart page within the Scan & Go feature, helping shoppers discover relevant products and giving brands a way to reach customers at a key moment in their purchase journey. This also provides Sam’s Club and retailers with metrics on shopper behavior, click‑through rates, and sales impact.

By connecting scanning and digital marketing, Sam’s Club is creating a more personalized in‑store experience that goes beyond simple scanning and payment.

Even as mobile scanning gains traction, Walmart is maintaining multiple checkout pathways rather than eliminating traditional options. Shoppers still generally have access to cashier‑assisted lanes and self‑checkout kiosks for those who prefer or need them, while Scan & Go provides an alternative for those seeking maximum speed and autonomy. This multi‑option approach reflects Walmart’s recognition that customers value choice in how they complete purchases.

Industry observers note that in contrast to some retail rumors, Walmart is not completely removing self‑checkout lanes across all stores — though some locations may shift patterns based on customer preferences and traffic patterns. (turn0reddit40)

Walmart’s investment in Scan & Go and related mobile capabilities is part of a larger broader digital transformation strategy that includes AI, automation, and mobile‑first in‑store enhancements. The company’s tech initiatives extend beyond checkout — such as using AI and RFID to improve inventory flow and logistics — underlining Walmart’s push to strengthen its omnichannel offerings.

This integration of digital and physical shopping experiences aligns with industry trends whereby retailers leverage technology to increase convenience, reduce friction, and provide better data insights on customer behavior. Competitors like Sam’s Club — another Walmart Inc. division — are also deploying advanced technologies such as AI‑powered exit verification to streamline the post‑checkout process, demonstrating how digital tools are reshaping the in‑store experience.