Mobile self-checkout, and specifically, scan and go, would seem a slam dunk for grocers.
It has not worked out that way.
All manner of retail is striving to embrace automated shopping, especially in brick-and-mortar settings. Merchants are streamlining the process of getting items into carts and getting them paid for, especially with contactless payments.
And when it comes to keeping the family fed, PYMNTS data show that most consumers value convenience and speed when it comes to grocery shopping — 77% of them do. And the data shows that 40% of “persuadable” shoppers say that ease and convenience most influence where they choose to shop, which implies that they’ll go where frictionless commerce is a defining characteristic. Since consumers continue to buy most of their grocery staples in the store, it makes sense that a better payment experience would help boost consumers’ loyalty.
Last month, Instacart said it had debuted its first Scan & Pay checkout deployment, where Foodcellar Market, a grocer in Queens, New York, is the first to offer the own-device self-service option to all in-store customers. In terms of the mechanics, the scan/pay offering is geared toward packaged items and pay-by-weight products such as fruits and vegetables. Consumers scan as they go, check out when they are done, and show an employee a QR code as they leave as proof of payment.
The Instacart example follows news last fall that Wegmans had shuttered its scan-and-go options in store, citing “losses.” In a more recent example, after stating last summer that it would expand scan and go, Hy-Vee said last month it would disable that system, as reported in the Des Moines Register.
Here, as with Wegmans, losses are/were the culprit.
There are other firms that offer scan-and-go functionalities for consumers who wish to sidestep the register at the front of the store. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven have seen success with scanning and paying and have offered that service for years. Amazon Go, however, in contrast, has been scaling back its cashierless store format.
Despite the mixed track records, the interest is there as roughly 40% of grocers surveyed by PYMNTS think that consumers would be “very” or “likely” to switch if they didn’t offer this option.
Walmart offers a roadmap that might help other firms reduce the incidence of, and potential for, losses. Walmart offers scan and go to its Walmart+ members, which we contend does two things: It limits the “pool” of users to known customers and ensures that customers are paying for the convenience of using this checkout method.
It’s not too farfetched to think that convenience may spur more memberships, cementing a virtuous cycle.
In an interview with PYMNTS last month, Amin Sabzivand, senior vice president of product at Sezzle, noted that “this year we are going to see more adoption overall into self-directed checkouts, but adoption depends on the sector and the market,” Sabzivand said. “For grocery shopping, when the practical benefit is clear to the consumer, the adoption on the consumer side is probably going to be higher versus luxury retail when the customer wants some sort of a luxury experience,” and noted that “people are more comfortable [working] with the device that they have in hand when they know that they have full control of everything,” he said.
As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.
In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.
AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.
But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.
In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.
Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.
“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.
Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.
While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.
“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”
Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.
The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.
“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”
As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.
So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.
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