Walmart is letting store managers tailor checkout needs, and it could lead to a dedicated lane for Walmart+ shoppers and Spark delivery drivers, reports Business Insider.
For a while now managers at select stores have been able to open and close traditional and self-checkout lanes based on a variety of factors, including time of day and traffic flow.
If the situation warrants, a move could be made to open a lane for only those who have Walmart + and for Spark workers.
Walmart+ is the retailer’s subscription-based membership that offers free shipping, free delivery, and deals on fuel, etc., for $12.95 a month and a $98 annual fee. Spark Driver is Walmart’s primary delivery service.
The checkout flexibility went viral on TikTok last week when a user claimed the move to open a lane for premium shoppers was an attempt by the retailer to get more people to sign up for Walmart+.
“Now you got to pay to work for Walmart,” said TikTok creator educationincrime, referring to the self-checkout process where shoppers must scan and bag their transactions.
Walmart, however, refutes that claim.
“From time to time, our stores adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts. For example, a store might start or end the day with staffed checkouts. As the number of shoppers and associate staffing increases, these stores open self-checkout registers to manage the increased customer flow. This process isn’t new,” Walmart said in a statement to Supermarket News.
“During these times of limited access, some stores are designating select self-checkout stations for Walmart+ customers using our Scan and Go service and Spark drivers for quicker access and delivery services. This decision is intended to better manage checkout availability.”
