Walmart sues BJ's for stealing its self-checkout technology Scan&Go! BJ's declines to comment!

Walmart has accused rival discount store BJ's Wholesale Club of blatantly stealing its self-checkout technology Scan&Go. According to the complaint filed by Walmart and its Sam's Club, BJ's simply changed the name and logo of Walmart's Scan&Go self-checkout mobile app and created its own Express Pay checkout system, which is strikingly similar or even almost identical to Sam's Scan&Go in terms of functionality. The lawsuit claims that Sam's Club's Scan&Go feature was launched in 2016, while BJ's only began installing self-checkout systems in all its stores at the end of last year.

The Scan&Go self-checkout process involves shoppers opening the app, scanning the item’s barcode or searching for it using the Find Item feature, paying, and presenting an electronic receipt to an employee when leaving the warehouse.

BJ's says on its website that shoppers can pay with ExpressPay by selecting "In-Club Mode" on its app, scanning the barcode of an item and adding it to their cart, paying on the app and then showing an employee the payment code when leaving.

Walmart claims that its patented technology enables customers to scan items with their phones as they put them in their shopping carts and check out without waiting in line. The technology is also popular because it can avoid queues and contactless checkouts in the post-epidemic era. Walmart accused BJ's of stealing the fruits of its more than ten years of hard work so easily. BJ's said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Walmart customers who have registered for Walmart+ can also use Scan&Go. The lawsuit also pointed out that although Walmart owns a number of technology patents, Walmart is dissatisfied with the adoption of innovative technologies by BJ without permission. In July 2021, Walmart also tested a new "scan and ship" system at Sam's Club, which allows customers to purchase large items that cannot fit into a car, such as patio furniture, mattresses, grills, and large TVs. These large products are usually delivered to the buyer's home within three to five days.

Editor ✎Estella/

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