DISCUSSION
Meijer works to keep up with Kroger and Walmart with 'Shop & Scan' tech
Written by George Anderson
Source: Meijer
Meijer is looking to improve the shopping experience in its 235 stores with the rollout of a smartphone app that will speed customers through the checkout process.
The program, called “Shop & Scan," enables customers to scan and bag items for purchase while they shop. When they reach the self-checkout, they simply scan their phone and pay for their purchase, greatly reducing the time spent at the front-end.
The new shopping technology works with Meijer’s mPerks rewards program so customers can earn points and redeem discounts without the need for added steps.
The retailer tested “Shop & Scan” at six stores in Michigan — 12,000 have downloaded the app on their iOS or Android phones — before deciding to roll out chainwide. Meijer expects to have the app available at all its stores by the end of the summer.
"Shop & Scan will make the Meijer experience dramatically faster and more convenient for our customers," said Terry Ledbetter, chief information officer for the retail, in a statement. "This technology joins our curbside pickup and home delivery programs to provide yet another option for Meijer customers to personalize their shopping experience."
Meijer’s announcement follows moves by rivals Kroger and Walmart to roll out similar apps. In January, Kroger announced the launch of its “Scan, Bag, Go” technology, which is available through a hand-held scanner provided by the store or via the grocer’s mobile app. The technology, which initially didn’t include payment using the app, is being updated to allow customers to pay without an added step.
Kroger plans to have “Scan, Bag, Go” available at many of its banners, including its namesake, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s, by the end of the year.
Walmart announced plans to expand its test of “Scan & Go” technology in January. The company, which began a pilot at stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando and Northwest Arkansas markets, said it planned to expand its use to locations in 33 states. The technology allows customers to scan and bag items as they shop and skip the checkout altogether using a payment function on their app.