U.S. retail giants Walmart and Target are reportedly launching new in-store mobile checkout systems to facilitate the heavy shopping spree expected during the 2018 holiday season. Walmart stated that it will be expanding its mobile checkout service called ‘Check Out With Me’ to all its Supercenters by Black Friday. Meanwhile, Target launched its version of the checkout service called ‘Skip The Line’ nationwide and will employ extra staff during busier shopping days.
As per trusted sources, Walmart began testing its mobile checkout service in April this year throughout hundreds of its stores in the U.S. The system operates by having a staff equipped with a small carrying case consisting a Bluetooth receipt printer, and a cellular device that can both scan barcodes and be used as a credit card machine for transactions.
Walmart initially experimented with the service in its Lawn & Garden centers all over its 350 stores, where the need for a mobile checkout solution was more critical. As a result, customers didn’t have to lug heavy items to a checkout station anymore, and a Walmart staff could simply scan the items on the shelf and have it directly loaded to their cars.
Similarly, Target’s checkout system will also include a store staff equipped with special handheld devices. If customers don’t find what they’re looking for, the staff can also help them place an online order for the desired product.
According to sources familiar with the development, Walmart is set to roll out the checkout system across 3,000 Supercenters throughout the U.S. starting with Thanksgiving and Black Friday. In addition, store associates will be placed in the busiest aisles of the stores and high-traffic zones including the electronics and action alley.
Target tested ‘Skip The Line’ across selected stores in February 2018 and has expanded to all its stores as of October 2018.
Through mobile checkout systems, these companies are addressing one of the many in-store challenges faced by customers without having to invest in expensive gears, as per sources.