Scan and Go vs. Amazon Go: Round 1

Earlier this month, Walmart expanded the rollout of its Scan and Go technology, which lets customers scan products’ barcodes through a smartphone app and add items to their carts. The move is just another important step taken by the big-box retailer in an effort to compete aggressively against Amazon.

Not coincidentally, Amazon has been testing Amazon Go, a checkout-free shopping experience conducted through the mobile app. But can Walmart’s new grocery concept actually measure up to the marketplace of all marketplaces—Amazon?

Currently, both concepts are in the very early phases, and whereas Amazon’s is thus far only being tested on employees, Scan and Go is open to the general public.

According to Matt Sargent, senior vice president of retail at Magid, a research-based consultancy, the two downsides of the Walmart solution are: first, a customer must manually scan each product, whereas in Amazon Go, the product is automatically “sensed” when placed in the basket with RFIC. Second, a customer still has to “check out” with the store greeter by showing him a digital receipt, but with Amazon Go, there is no need for the final “check.”

“Despite these downsides, as already noted, Walmart should be applauded for actually putting this into motion with real customers versus how Amazon is testing Amazon Go,” Sargent said. “They are already ahead, as Amazon is very small in grocery today, but this will allow Walmart a better chance of holding onto its leadership position.”

According to findings from Magid’s Retail Pulse study, 48% of consumers said that they would likely shop an Amazon Go-style store. Not surprisingly, 62% of millennials are likely to shop an Amazon Go-style store. Families also strongly indicated that they would be interested in an Amazon Go-style store, with 63% saying they would likely shop there.

Read more from Fierce Retail here.