Sam’s Club Is Rolling Out a Major Change to Its Checkout Policy — and Shoppers Are Shocked

There have been some major changes for members at our favorite bulk retailers, including stricter policies that require patrons to show IDs before entering Costco. However, the latest grocer to hop on the bandwagon is Sam’s Club, who is now incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the shopping experience. AI has been seeping into our lives in various ways and now it’s about to impact our trips to the grocery store.

If you’ve ever been to a Sam’s Club, you are likely aware of the policy that requires members’ receipts to be checked up exiting the warehouse. An employee will typically stand at the door ready to verify your receipt before letting you go to the parking lot. In an effort to save time, Sam’s Club is now using a “first-of-its-kind” application of AI that will check receipts faster, offering a quicker exit.

Members will walk through a blue gate that will scan their shopping cart so the sensors can snap pictures of the items in the cart and corroborate their purchases. The system is currently being tested at 10 Sam’s Club locations, hoping to eliminate the long lines that inevitably form at the exit.

According to a press release, members are already experiencing the benefits of the new system, but the retailer will continue to improve the technology over time.

“We are constantly looking at ways for Sam’s Club to be the most convenient membership club and will continue to prioritize using technology to provide a truly differentiated and delightful experience for our members,” said Chris Nicholas, CEO of Sam’s Club, in the statement.

It’s their goal to have this method implemented in all of its 600 clubs throughout the country by the end of 2024.