Sam’s Club is removing traditional checkout lanes from all 600 of its stores across the U.S. following a successful test run in Grapevine, Texas. On Friday, April 11, Sam’s Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas announced the company’s plans at Walmart Inc.’s 2025 Investment Community Meeting. The store’s Scan & Go technology, which lets customers pay for items using their phones, will now be the standard nationwide. This AI-powered system was first tested in North Texas and is now being rolled out to every Sam’s Club location. The goal is to offer faster service, less waiting, and a better shopping experience.
Texas Leads the Way in Retail Innovation
The Grapevine Sam’s Club in North Texas became the testing ground for what the company calls its “club of the future.” Shoppers at this store no longer stand in long lines or show receipts to staff at the exit. Instead, they use a mobile app to scan items as they shop and pay directly from their phones. At the door, AI scanners confirm that all items were purchased.
According to a company release, this setup has greatly improved the speed and ease of shopping. The technology has now proven so effective that the company is expanding it nationwide.
AI and Mobile Tech Are Changing the Way We Shop
Sam’s Club introduced its Scan & Go service with one goal in mind: to save customers time. The system uses artificial intelligence and smart exit gates to track purchases in real time. Shoppers simply scan a QR code on items or shelves, add products to a digital cart, and complete payment on their smartphones.
At the exit, cameras and sensors verify that every item in the cart has been paid for — replacing the old process of showing receipts to an employee.
“This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today,” said CEO Chris Nicholas. “We’re investing with intention — in our fleet, our associates and the member experience — to become the world’s best club retailer.”
A Nationwide Remodel of 600 Stores
Along with expanding Scan & Go, Sam’s Club will remodel all 600 of its current stores. These changes include removing traditional checkout lanes entirely. The decision follows the company’s broader strategy to grow aggressively. Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc., is valued at $90 billion and plans to open 15 new stores each year.
The 30 previously announced stores are already in development, and each new location will include the latest AI features from the start. Remodeling work at existing stores will begin soon, with a timeline expected to vary by location.
Faster Shopping, Fewer Lines
For Sam’s Club members, the biggest advantage is speed. By skipping checkout lines, customers can finish their shopping trips in less time. This is especially useful during busy hours and holidays when stores are usually crowded.
“Our job is to take friction out of members’ lives,” Nicholas said. “Every day that we get to take friction out of members’ lives, we give them back time, which is really exciting because that’s the thing they most want.”
This focus on convenience is part of a larger shift in retail. More shoppers now prefer self-checkout or mobile checkout options, especially as online and in-store shopping habits continue to blend.
Part of Walmart’s Bigger Plan
Sam’s Club is not alone in using AI to speed up shopping. Walmart, its parent company, has also been experimenting with smart technology in its main retail stores. From automated shelf scanning to drone delivery trials, Walmart is heavily investing in digital tools.
By applying lessons from Grapevine’s Scan & Go pilot, Sam’s Club is giving Walmart a head start in the future of retail.
“Scan & Go gives us a clear edge,” Nicholas said. “It combines the ease of online shopping with the in-store experience our members love.”
What Shoppers Can Expect Next
Customers across the U.S. should expect changes in their local Sam’s Club stores over the coming months. While the rollout schedule may vary, every location will eventually have AI exit gates and no traditional checkout lanes.
For those unfamiliar with the Scan & Go app, in-store support and signage will help guide the process. Members can also still get help from associates on the floor, who will assist with scanning and payments if needed.
Sam’s Club says the goal is not to replace workers but to shift them to more helpful roles — like stocking shelves, helping customers find products, and offering tech support.
Sam’s Club is changing how people shop, starting with a smart system that saves time and removes hassle. What began in Grapevine, Texas, is now spreading across the country. With AI-powered exits and phone-based payments, shopping at Sam’s Club is about to become faster and easier than ever.
