Costco is introducing its own Scan & Go app within the main mobile app. You will no longer have to unload your cart onto the conveyor belt or shuffle forward slowly, wondering why you didn’t order takeout rather than brave the warehouse.
Costco’s Major Announcement: Scan & Go will be available on your phone
Ron Vachris, the CEO of Costco, said during a recent earnings call that the Scan & Go product is now formally in development. For the company, this is significant because they have never been at the forefront of technological adoption.
However, they had to take action after consumers complained that the worst part of their warehouse experience was standing in line.
Despite the objections, Costco’s company is doing quite well. After earning a tidy $1.90 billion over the last three months, earnings are up 8% from the previous year. By making checkout simple, it appears that they are using part of those billions.
How It Operates: Automatic Shopping?
No new apps need to be downloaded; all you need to do is:
- Launch the Costco app, use your phone to scan the barcodes of each item while you browse the enormous aisles, and then pay through the app when you’re ready to go.
- To ensure that you didn’t inadvertently scan a family-sized box of muffins twice, show the exit checker your QR code and stop engaging in small talk with the cashier.
You can roll your eyes at your own grocery list, but it’s okay. It’s essentially like making your phone a cashier that never rolls its eyes when you ask for another box of those enormous muffins.
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What you can’t scan?
There are a few things to consider before you start fantasizing about avoiding every line in the store. You can’t simply walk out the door after looking at everything. Costco has certain guidelines:
- Tobacco and alcohol—no surprise there. Even in the digital era, age verification is still important.
- Additionally, DIY scanning is not permitted for gift cards or some more expensive devices.
- You should also avoid anything that can land you in trouble, such as drugs in some states.
Therefore, you will still need to use the conventional checkout lines if you want to buy a case of wine or a high-end TV.
