Sam's Club shoppers are voicing frustration over the store's new exit scanners, calling them a "waste of money" and questioning their utility. The recently introduced "exit arch" forces shoppers to pass through a scanning device to leave the store, designed to eliminate traditional receipt checks. However, despite the automation, shoppers still find themselves queuing up to get their carts cleared, with staff members verifying items as they exit.
According to The Sun, the retail chain considers this a forward-thinking move to streamline the checkout process and reduce time spent inside the store. Yet, many shoppers feel that this new technology could add more time to their shopping experience. Sam's Club has assured members that the system will make exits faster by reducing manual receipt checks, but some customers remain unconvinced.
Social Media Backlash Against the Exit Arch
The new scanners are facing a strong backlash on social media, particularly within the Facebook group "Sam's Club Fans," which has more than 260,000 members. In the group, shoppers expressed disappointment and frustration with the changes. Keisha Dominique, a group member, described inconsistent experiences with the scanners: "Sometimes I go in and am allowed to walk right through after scan and go. Other times I'm yelled at by employees for trying to walk through... wish they would figure it out and stick to one."
Another user took direct aim at Sam's Club, criticising the new system as ineffective: "Well, the one here has been up but must already be broken... Seems like a huge waste of money to me."
AI Technology in Retail: Is Sam's Club's Investment Paying Off?
The AI-powered scanners at Sam's Club employ advanced computer vision technology to automatically identify items in a shopper's cart, theoretically minimising the need for staff to manually inspect receipts. Sam's Club's website claims the new system is designed to "speed up" the checkout process, but members remain sceptical, questioning whether the technology is fully reliable.
According to The Sun, the exit arch's AI system will flag any discrepancies in a cart for staff to review, aiming to streamline exit procedures. Yet, the rollout has highlighted potential challenges with AI implementation in retail, with shoppers criticising the scanners as a costly investment that could have gone towards employee pay or store improvements.
The High-Tech Scanners Meet Resistance
Forbes reports that this is part of a broader trend where AI is reshaping the retail industry, from inventory management to personalised shopping experiences. However, shoppers have raised concerns about the reliability and usefulness of the scanners, especially since human intervention is often still required when items are missed. Even then, retailers are reportedly exploring a variety of AI applications beyond automated receipt checks, such as:
- Inventory Optimisation – AI helps predict demand and optimise stock levels, reducing waste and improving profitability.
- Demand Forecasting – By analysing historical data and market trends, AI can accurately forecast demand, helping retailers better manage resources.
- Optimised Route Planning – AI-powered route planning helps delivery fleets cut travel times and fuel costs, improving efficiency.
- Price Optimisation – AI-driven pricing strategies enable retailers to adjust prices in real time, helping maintain revenue and competitive positioning.
- Assortment Planning – AI analyses customer data to create product assortments tailored to local preferences, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Personalisation – AI can provide personalised shopping experiences, from tailored product recommendations to targeted promotions.
These applications demonstrate AI's potential to revolutionise retail, yet Sam's Club's receipt scanner experiment underscores that implementing these technologies can face significant hurdles when it comes to user experience.
