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When it comes to in-store shopping technology, it’s safe to say that self-checkout has become the norm. New CivicScience data show that roughly 3-in-4 U.S. consumers report they’ve used a self-checkout when shopping in stores in the last six months.1 Yet, self-checkout isn’t always a seamless experience. Customers can still find themselves waiting in long lines. In fact, 6-in-10 consumers say ‘adding more open checkout lanes’ is the number one way that grocery retailers can improve the in-store shopping experience.
Looking for new solutions, some retailers have been experimenting with scan-and-go technology, which allows shoppers to scan the barcodes of items as they shop and pay directly through an app on their smartphone. Still in its early phases, the technology is seen as the next big development in self-checkout. But are consumers ready to “scan-and-go”?
Scan-and-Go Is a “Go” for Gen Z
Recent CivicScience data show that the technology is on the way up, as 3-in-10 U.S. consumers report they have used scan-and-go when shopping in a store in the last six months.
There is a clear difference in adoption among ages. Nearly half of Gen Z adults (18-24) used scan-and-go recently, outpacing any other age group. Even so, close to 1-in-5 shoppers aged 55 and older have given the tech a try.
Weigh In: Which of the following best describes your preferred checkout experience at a retail store?
Whole Foods Customers Lead the Way
Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Whole Foods are a few of the big names with scan-and-go options. Ongoing CivicScience brand tracking shows that scan-and-go has been adopted by some customers more than others. Whole Foods customers are the most likely to have used the technology. Around 30% of Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club customers have used scan-and-go checkout in general recently, aligning with numbers from Sam’s Club which reported a similar percentage of customers who regularly use its app.
Although Costco doesn’t offer scan-and-go, more than one-quarter of Costco customers have tried it out elsewhere – suggesting there could be an opportunity if Costco were to move in that direction.
A Benefit to Early Holiday Shoppers
With the holiday shopping season upon us, many Americans will be heading to stores to do their shopping. How many will make use of scan-and-go checkout options? Data show early bird shoppers are the most likely to have embraced scan-and-go shopping technology, far more so than those who have not yet started their holiday shopping. Although only about 30% of holiday shoppers have started shopping, those who have are also getting a head start on new ways to optimize their in-store experience.
Let Us Know: Are you more likely to shop at a store with scan-and-go technology?
While scan-and-go technology still has a ways to go, the data show it’s gained a foothold among the American public. Retailers can hone in on the usage and experience of its early adopters to better understand how to implement the exit technology.
This is just a glimpse of CivicScience’s capabilities – we leverage insights like these to build highly-targeted ad campaigns, reach persuadable buyers, and drive better ad engagement. Want to learn how?
- 1,962 responses from August 7, 2024 to August 13, 2024 ↩︎
