SAM’S Club has introduced several changes in the past year, and one of them is even a step ahead of Costco.
The retailer introduced ten major changes to its stores this year, including a new method for exiting the store.
Sam’s Club announced a string of changes earlier this year[/caption]
The membership retailer will change how to exit its stores and more[/caption]
SELF-CHECKOUT CHANGES
Sam’s Club announced that it would remove all of its self-checkout machines from its 600 stores.
The retailer confirmed that every Sam’s Club spot will ditch self-checkouts in favor of Scan & Go.
Customers will now be able to scan items as they pick them up, and then use their phone to pay and leave.
SCAN & GO
As the store removes self-checkout machines, it’s also planning on eliminating traditional registers.
Instead, the company will now rely on Scan and Go, which would require shoppers to scan their products as they shop.
AI EXIT
As Scan and Go becomes more popular, the store implemented an AI-powered exit that scans shoppers’ carts as they leave the store.
“We aspire to be the most convenient place to shop,” Sam’s Club Chief Merchant Megan Crozier said during the Walmart Keynote.
“At Sam’s Club, we care about every second a member spends with us so eliminating even the few seconds it takes to scan a receipt at the exit door it’s well worth it,” Crozier said.
CURBSIDE CHANGES
In April, Sam’s Club informed shoppers that it would no longer allow them to use curbside pickup if they checked in using a text message.
Now, customers will only be able to check in through the Sam’s Club app.
Shoppers can download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
FOODCOURT PAYMENT
Sam’s Club has changed the way members can pay for food from the food court.
The retailer has removed the in-person registers at some food courts and replaced them with in-app payments only.
Food court guests will now need to download the app to pay for their items.
Sam’s Club membership tiers
Sam’s Club offers two levels of membership plans.
Club membership – $50 annually
- Members-only fuel savings
- Free curbside pickup on orders of $50 or more
- Scan and Go shopping
- Low members-only prices
- Extra membership card for another member of your household
- Add up to eight Club members for a reduced price of $45 each
Plus membership – $110 annually
- Club membership perks included
- Early shopping at some locations
- Free delivery on orders of $50 or more
- Free curbside pickup
- Add up to 16 Club members for a reduced price of $45 each
- Pharmacy and optical savings
- 2% Sam’s Cash back
- Early shopping at some locations
- Early access to tire and battery center services
- 50% off installation of four tires
HOME BRAND CHANGES
To keep up with changing health guidelines, the store launched a program called “Made Without.”
The program looked to eliminate over 40 ingredients from the private label brand Member’s Mark.
The removals have been seen across 96% of the Member’s Mark items.
The ingredients being removed from items include artificial colors and aspartame, a sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.
GAS STATION HOURS
Sam’s Club extended the hours of 90% of its gas stations, a spokesperson told FOX Business.
Now, most gas stations will open at 6 am and close an hour later than usual.
FOOD COURT CHANGES
Sam’s Club’s food courts will experience two other big changes: longer hours and to-go pizzas.
Now, the food court will remain open for the duration of the main store’s hours and will begin selling full-sized pizzas for take-out.
SENIOR DISCOUNT
Sam’s Club recently made big changes to its senior citizen discount.
Now, shoppers aged 50 and above can apply for the discounted membership—a change from its previous policy of 55 and above.
As a first-time member, you will get a significant discount on the membership.
