Walmart has now become the second iPhone key retailer besides Apple as it began testing a self checkout system based on iPhones in its stores. Reuters reported that Walmart is testing the new system on its employees first. This new system that will be provided to the customers will allow to scan and pay directly from the iPhone instead without going toa cashier. The phone itself will take care of the job actually done by a cashier.
Right now, it seems that this test will be limited to Arkansas stores rather than being available in all the stores, as no formal announcement has been made by Walmart. Though, the company did agree that they will keep trying innovative methods to make shopping experience easier at their stores.
Last year, Apple launched a similar app for its users but it was limited to the purchase of some items in their retail stores. Shoppers can select a product from mac accessories and iOS section and then buy that product using their iPhones. This self checkout system is practiced out very smoothly without any objections created by employees when a customer is leaving the store. Although, one report has been made of the failure of this EasyPay system provided by Apple.
Such cases might increase in the future when more and more retailers will be allowing this kind of service in their stores by allowing shoppers do the checkout on their devices. We are yet to find whether pros of this system will prevail over its cons. This is the main objective of Walmart behind testing this system.
