Costco is trialling a new tech-powered checkout experience that could make shopping trips faster and more convenient for members.
During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, CEO Ron Vachris said Costco is “working hard” on improving digital membership card usage and rolling out “some scan-and-go” functionality, a phrase popularised by rival Sam’s Club, which has trademarked the term.
Though Vachris gave few details, Costco’s Same-Day website outlines a pilot feature called Scan & Pay, launched through its Instacart partnership.
At select stores, customers can scan a QR code at the entrance, ring up items via their smartphone, and present a final code at the exit to complete their purchase.
The move could help Costco catch up with Walmart-owned Sam’s Club, which has aggressively invested in tech upgrades, including eliminating checkout lanes entirely at a new Texas location.
That innovation has helped Sam’s Club surpass Costco in customer satisfaction rankings for the first time earlier this year.
Costco shoppers on social media have long called for faster checkout options, and the company’s new efforts may be a step toward delivering just that.
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