Sam's Club, the membership-only retail warehouse club owned and operated by Walmart, is opening a new retail concept by the name of 'Sam's Club Now' that puts an emphasis on mobile innovation.
At the concept space in Dallas, Texas, using an app will be an integral part of the shopping experience, as mobile checkout will be mandatory—consumers will only be able to use Scan & Go technology to shop.
One's mobile device and the app will also be useful for calling up additional product information, as well as accessing augmented reality product packaging or navigating the store with a personalized map based on one's own shopping journey. At Sam's Club Now, the app will also be used for ordering items as part of the store's one-hour pickup service.
App-Centric Warehouse Retailers
'Sam's Club Now' Introduces a Mobile-First Shopping Experience
Trend Themes
1. Mobile Checkout - More retail stores will introduce mobile-first shopping experience like Sam's Club Now, making mobile checkout mandatory and revolutionizing the traditional checkout system.
2. Augmented Reality - Incorporating augmented reality technology into shopping experiences like the AR product packaging at Sam's Club Now will enhance the customer experience and retention.
3. Personalized Maps - Stores like Sam's Club Now will create personalized maps of the store for each shopper through their mobile app and provide a tailored shopping experience.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retail industry will see innovation opportunities in integrating mobile-first experiences in their brick and mortar stores.
2. Technology - Technology industry can capitalize on the need for better augmented reality technology to develop immersive shopping experiences for customers.
3. Logistics - The logistics industry can provide same-day delivery services for the increasing number of stores introducing one-hour pickup service through their online or mobile platforms.