Many brick-and-mortar merchants are enduring a sales free-fall and looking for ways to generate more foot traffic in their stores. Building on the positive consumer reaction to mobile order and pay apps, merchants are developing mobile self-checkout systems as a shopping enhancement for time-strapped customers. These systems enable shoppers to use their cellphones to scan merchandise as they shop and then have the cellphone tally the sales, make payment, and receive an e-receipt, so they can exit the store without waiting in a checkout line. Some merchants indicate that their customers are coming to their stores more frequently, knowing that they will not have to wait in checkout lines.

A new research report from Mercator Advisory Group, Evolving Retail Concepts and Venues with Mobile Self-Checkout, describes different shopping approaches and integrated technology systems that are currently in use or in testing, including Amazon Go, Scan & Go from Walmart and Sam’s Club, as well as others including white-label versions and even smart vending machines. Mobile self-checkout will drive changes in the retail shopping process and lead to shifting consumer behavior in choosing where to shop. Merchants will be faced with decisions on new technology investment and store configuration revisions to meet the evolving preferences of their customers.

“In-store shopping needs to be more about the customer experience, and merchant mobile self-checkout apps add a new dimension to visiting stores and other retail venues, whether for a quick purchase or for extended shopping. Consumers love not standing in line—they just shop at their own pace, scan items, and leave whenever they are finished” commented Raymond Pucci, Associate Director, Research Services at Mercator Advisory Group and author of the report.

This report is 18 pages long and has 5 exhibits.

Companies mentioned in this report: Amazon, Apple, Barclaycard, Bizerba, Chase, Citi, CVS, Dunkin’ Donuts, FutureProof Retail, Google, Kohl’s, Mastercard, Omnyway, Rambus, Sam’s Club, Samsung, Starbucks, ViaTouch Media, Visa, and Walmart.