# Did Walmart Remove Price Scanners? The Complete Lowdown

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/did-walmart-remove-price-scanners/
- Published: 2023-10-20
- Author: Terry Williams
- Categories: [Walmart](https://33rdsquare.com/category/consumer/walmart/)

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Yes, Walmart has officially removed all fixed barcode scanners from their store aisles. This move signals a broader shift towards mobile checkout and self-service options. But does saying farewell to those clunky price checkers mean you can no longer scan items in-store?

Not at all! You‘ve actually got better, more convenient scanning functionality than ever through the Walmart app. I‘ll explain everything about why old scanners got the boot, what new mobile scanning is like, and how it impacts the way you can shop.

## By the Numbers: Walmart‘s Scanner Shift

First, let‘s look at the key stats around Walmart phasing out in-store price checkers:

- **4,700+** – Number of Walmart stores in the US as of 2021
- **200,000+** – Estimated total of fixed barcode scanners removed
- **70%** – Increase in Walmart app usage from 2018 to 2021
- **#1** – Walmart app‘s ranking among US shopping apps by downloads
- **45 million** – Estimated number of Walmart+ members as of late 2022

Those are staggering numbers that demonstrate this is far more than just a trivial change. Eliminating all those bulky devices from thousands of stores required an incredible logistical effort by the world‘s largest retailer.

But Walmart had good reason to undertake such a monumental endeavor. Let‘s look at the why behind the scanner removal next.

## Why Walmart Ditched In-Store Price Checkers

There were a few key motivators for Walmart to make the choice to pull price scanners in 2022:

**Cost Savings** – Maintaining and updating so many physical devices was hugely expensive for Walmart. Getting rid of scanners provides massive cost savings long-term.

**Encouraging Mobile App Use** – As mobile checkout grew in popularity, Walmart wanted to nudge customers towards self-scanning with the app.

**Modernizing Stores** – With scanners removed, aisles feel less cluttered. Shelves can fit more products and shopping feels more streamlined.

**Boosting Walmart+ Appeal** – Removing fixed scanners gives Walmart+ and its Scan & Go mobile checkout a more enticing edge.

**Enhancing Data Collection** – Mobile scanning provides Walmart with more granular data around browsing habits and buying behaviors.

**Keeping Up with the Competition** – Rivals like Amazon Go and Kroger are also expanding cashier-less shopping.

When looking at those motivations together, doing away with old price scanners was a strategic move to push Walmart forward in today‘s digital-first retail world.

While the transition has had some negatives, the benefits appear to outweigh the downsides from Walmart‘s perspective. But how do shoppers feel about this scanner shift?

## Mixed Reviews: Shoppers Sound Off on the Scanner Situation

Customer reactions to losing in-store price scanners have been mixed. Some shoppers are frustrated, while others embrace the mobile options.

On the negative side, complaints around the removal include:

- **"It‘s inconvenient"** – Shoppers relied on scanners to check prices quickly as they browsed aisles. Forgetting your phone means no more scanning.
- **"Longer checkout times"** – Increased lines reported due to customers price checking at registers before purchasing.
- **"More cluttered carts"** – People must carry all items with them while price checking on phone since they can‘t set something back on a shelf as easily.
- **"Reduced accessibility"** – Fixed scanners were placed at heights for shoppers using wheelchairs or with mobility issues to easily access.
- **"Can‘t scan big/bulky items"** – Large items or multipacks are trickier to scan with a phone camera vs. fixed scanner.

However, fans of the change counter that:

- **"The app is more convenient"** – You don‘t have to walk to a scanner anymore and can check prices from anywhere in the store.
- **"Mobile scanning is faster"** – Scan & Go lets you skip the checkout line entirely after scanning all items.
- **"It modernizes the experience"** – Mobile checkout feels more advanced while fixed scanners were dated.
- **"No more dirty scanners"** – Shared fixed scanners could spread germs vs. scanning with your own phone.
- **"Data privacy benefits"** – You control your own data rather than using store scanners that collect information.

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the scanner divide. But with shoppers split, how does this impact Walmart employees?

## Effects on Walmart Employees and Store Operations

As with any major company change, removing in-store price scanners affects more than just customers. It also takes adaptation for Walmart associates and creates operational challenges.

Employees have had to adjust to an increase in price check requests at registers and service desks. This added volume slows things down when associates could be using that time to help customers or handle their own work.

Behind the scenes, eliminating scanners requires completely overhauling store infrastructure. Stores had to physically remove devices, reconfigure fixture layouts, install and maintain new signage, update training procedures, and more.

There‘s also a risk that frustrated customers will take out grievances on frontline associates who had no say in the scanner removal decision. This underscores the importance of empathy on both sides during periods of transition.

On the positive side, the scanner-less aisles allow for an expanded product selection and less visually cluttered shopping environment. This benefits both customers and associates navigating stores. Technologies like Scan & Go also reduce checkout lines and bottlenecks for employees.

But the consensus seems to be that working through the scanner removal growing pains has required patience and understanding from both shoppers and associates. Now let‘s walk through how mobile scanning itself works.

## A Guide to Mobile Scanning with the Walmart App

The demise of fixed scanners doesn‘t mean barcode scanning itself is gone – it has just moved to your smartphone! Here is a step-by-step guide to Walmart‘s mobile scanning options:

### In-Store Price Checking

1. Download the Walmart app (free for iOS or Android)
2. Open the app and tap the menu icon in the top left
3. Select the "Price Check" option
4. Allow camera access when prompted
5. Hold your phone camera over a product barcode
6. The name, price, and details will appear on screen

### Walmart+ Scan and Go

1. Download the Walmart app and sign into your Walmart+ account
2. Tap "Services" and choose "Scan & Go"
3. Scan item barcodes as you add to your cart
4. Review your digital cart and edit items/quantities
5. Pay directly in the app with stored payment
6. Visit self-checkout and scan QR code to finalize
7. Show digital receipt to security on exit

Easy enough, right? The app makes price checking and skipping checkout lines a breeze. But there are some limitations to keep in mind.

## Limitations of Mobile Scanning

While mobile barcode scanning enables self-service, there are a few constraints:

- Weighed produce must be weighed at a kiosk before purchasing
- Alcohol/age-restricted purchases require ID verification
- WiFi/cellular connectivity needed for app to function
- Physical coupons cannot be scanned, only digital
- Small screens can make scanning bulky items tricky
- Paying through app doesn‘t work for cash purchases
- Scan & Go currently limited to US Walmart locations

The table below summarizes how mobile scanning differs from old fixed scanners:

| Comparison | Fixed Scanners | Mobile Scanning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Convenience | Required walking to scanner | Scan from anywhere in store |
| Speed | Moderate, depended on location | Very fast with Scan & Go |
| Accessibility | Placed at ADA accessible heights | Requires able-bodied usage of phone |
| Connectivity | Always worked offline | Must be connected to wifi/data |
| Data Collection | Anonymous usage | Ties scans to your account |
| Coupons | Could scan paper | Digital-only |
| Age-Restricted Items | Had to be scanned at register | Same process as before |
| Weighed Items | Had scales available | Must use kiosk scale |

This demonstrates the pros and cons of moving from those traditional fixed devices to mobile checkout. But what about the impact on different shopper personalities?

## How the Scanner Shift Impacts Different Shopper Types

Shoppers all have unique preferences and motivations when browsing store aisles. For some archetypes, this scanner change has been a big adjustment:

**Bargain Hunters** – Used to rely heavily on scanners to price match and find deals in-store. Now deal-seekers must be more prepared by researching prices and competitors online beforehand.

**Couponers** – Could easily scan paper coupons anytime. Now limited to digital coupons in the app, so organizing them ahead of trips is key.

**List Shoppers** – Many made lists based on prices seen on scanners. With no in-store scanners, list makers now compile carts based on Walmart.com pricing.

**Seniors** – Potential tech barrier of having to learn mobile scanning, although Walmart associates can provide hands-on tutorials.

**Visually Impaired** – Fixed scanners were accessible, while phone scanning requires sight. Digital screen readers can assist when available.

**Families** – Can use app‘s shop together feature so multiple people can scan and share a cart. But keeping kids focused can be challenging.

**Singles/Couples** – Tend to appreciate Scan & Go for speed. But those living cash-only could still struggle with app-only payment.

As we can see, scanner sentiments are tied closely to unique wants and needs. What may please one shopper profile could irritate another. There‘s no one-size-fits-all solution.

## The Future Outlook for Scanning at Walmart

While the fixed scanner extinction is still rolling out across all stores, what might the future look like? Here are some predictions:

- **Continued expansion of Scan & Go** – Walmart will likely continue enhancing this feature and promoting it heavily to increase adoption.
- **More advanced Scan & Go capabilities** – Possibilities like real-time cart total updates, product recommendations based on scans, gamification, etc.
- **Self-checkout expansion** – To support mobile checkout, more stores will add self-checkout kiosks and revamp checkout areas.
- **Executing the retailer hybrid model** – Blending physical and digital commerce with things like kiosk pickup for online orders.
- **Evolution of pricing signage** – More dynamic, digital displays may enter aisles to compensate for lack of scanners.
- **Emergence of competitor offerings** – Other retailers will launch their own versions to match consumer demand.

While fixed scanners are gone for good, their departure makes room for innovative mobile advancements that provide greater convenience, personalization and connectivity.

## The Bottom Line

Walmart‘s decision to remove in-store price scanners spurred mixed reactions – but their expanded mobile scanning capabilities are undoubtedly here to stay. For better or worse, shoppers must adapt to this new era driven by digital transformation.

It may take an adjustment period, but overall the smart phone options make pricing information readily available at your fingertips. Frictionless mobile checkout also aligns perfectly with larger retail trends.

Sure, saying goodbye to an outdated technology can feel jarring initially. But in the long run, arming shoppers with mobile scanning unlocks so much potential to create a smarter, seamless retail experience.

So next time you‘re browsing the Walmart aisles, whip out your phone and embrace the new normal of app-enabled price checking and mobile checkout. The benefits are only just beginning!

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Source: [Did Walmart Remove Price Scanners? The Complete Lowdown](https://33rdsquare.com/did-walmart-remove-price-scanners/)