U.S largest or perhaps the world’s largest retailer
is testing a new system that will allow shoppers to scan items using their
iPhones before they reach the checkout counter. Walmart invited its employees
with iPhones to participate their “scan and go” test at their branch in Rogers,
Arkansas.
This is a smart move from Walmart as they
were receiving lot of complaints on how time-consuming it is to pay at Walmart
since only one employee does the scanning and bagging of the items. And
sometimes only few checkout counters are open and staffed with cashiers.
Walmart spokesperson David Tovar announces
that Walmart is continually pursuing ways on how to enhance customer experience
in their stores. This iPhone app is just one of those ways they hope to
liven up their customers.
According to a report from Reuters, this
Walmart iPhone app includes functions like letting its users create shopping
lists and check which items are in stock. Walmart offered its participants for
the said test a $100 for an hour-session and a $25 gift card to use in the
store for their purchases. The test allows the shoppers to scan their items with
their iPhones and put them in bags while they shop. Once they’re done, they pay
at a self-checkout counter. The iPhone app then transfers the scanned data to
the self-checkout kiosk where shoppers can complete the transaction using the
regular self-checkout process. Walmart has not disclosed though if it will also
allow shoppers to pay using their phones as couple of establishments is already
adopting the pay by phone system.
“All the effort is to speed your way
through the checkout so that we can reduce costs and improve the shopping experience,”
said Paul Weitzel, managing partner at Willard Bishop. He further added, “With
smartphones and improved technology we’re only going to see more of this.
Shopping centers and even restaurants are
adopting how technology makes life a bit hassle-free. Other restaurants use
tablets as a menu book where customers choose their food using tablets and
forward it to order at the counter. And now you can even pay your order at the counter by confirming your name. All these and more are just totally surprising.
News Source: Reuters
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