Shopping malls were once the epicenters of convenience and leisure, but today, they’re often synonymous with frustration—thanks to one glaring issue: long checkout lines.
These queues aren’t just an annoyance; they’re costly. Businesses lose millions of sales every year due to them, and many don’t even realize that.
Beyond the financial hit, it creates a negative customer experience in shopping malls, thereby driving customers away, eroding loyalty, and tarnishing your mall’s reputation. In an era where time is precious, inefficiency at checkout isn’t just outdated—it’s unacceptable.
That’s why malls and retail businesses inside malls need scan and go technology: a modern answer to outdated checkout systems.
This innovation promises faster transactions, happier shoppers, and smarter operations.
In this article, we’ll explore five ways scan and go technology can eliminate queues, streamline operations, and benefit both mall owners and retailers.
Let’s get straight into it.
What is Scan and Go technology?
Scan and go technology relies on mobile-based self-checkout systems in which shoppers simply use their smartphones to scan product barcodes, pay digitally, and leave the store without ever stepping foot near a traditional checkout counter.
With these systems, you don’t need to have dedicated checkout lanes or cash counters. Hence, there will be no waiting lines or bottlenecks in your mall.
This innovation is gaining traction globally; according to RBR London, the number of stores worldwide offering mobile self-scanning is set to soar to 160,000 by 2027, a sharp increase from just 46,000 in 2021 and 36,600 in 2020.
Here’s how scan and go works in five simple steps:
Download the app: Shoppers start by downloading the app provided by the retailer or mall. It’s usually available on both iOS and Android platforms, hence accessible to all types of smartphone users.
Link payment method: After logging in, users connect their preferred payment method—whether it’s a credit card, digital wallet, or any other payment option. This step ensures seamless transactions later on.
Scan items: As shoppers browse the aisles, they use their smartphone’s camera to scan the barcodes of the items they want to purchase. The app keeps track of everything in a virtual cart.
Review and pay: Once they’re done shopping, users review their cart within the app to ensure accuracy. Then, they complete the payment directly through the app, using their preferred payment method.
Walk out: When the payment is confirmed, shoppers are free to leave the store immediately after verifying the digital receipt. No waiting in line, no hassle—just a quick and efficient exit.
It’s a straightforward process that is designed to make shopping faster and more convenient
Now, let’s see how these systems cut down on the frustration of long checkout lines.
5 ways scan and go can reduce long queues
1. Faster checkout process
Do you ever wonder how many of your customers abandon their shopping just because the checkout line is too long?
Waitwhile, a customer journey management solution provider, published a study in 2023 in which they revealed that 82% of consumers actively avoid businesses if they see a visible line or feel they will have to wait.
Furthermore, the same study also said that among those who encounter long lines, 40% will either leave without making a purchase or choose to shop at a competing business instead.
Stats and studies like this should be an opener for all retailers.
With scan-and-go technology, however, the entire checkout process happens right in the shopper's hand. Thus, it eliminates traditional bottlenecks and checkout lines entirely.
Customers simply scan products as they shop and pay instantly through the app—no more waiting for cashiers to methodically beep items across scanners.
Besides, transaction times also drop dramatically, allowing your shoppers to complete their shopping and move on with their day. For your mall, this means smoother traffic flow at exits and happier customers who won't think twice about returning.
2. Reduced friction
Beyond just speeding things up, scan and go fundamentally transforms your mall's physical environment.
Let's be honest—traditional checkout counters are like retail space vampires. They consume valuable floor space that could otherwise enhance your mall's layout or accommodate additional shoppers.
Mobile self-checkout system allow you to get rid of these physical barriers. This means you will have a more open and inviting environment in your mall that feels less like a processing facility and more like an experience destination.
The absence of bulky registers and checkout counters allows for more intuitive customer flow patterns, which helps in reducing congestion points that typically form during weekend rushes or holiday shopping.
You can accommodate more customers while also effectively managing the ones already inside your mall.
3. Increased operational efficiency
"Sorry, we're short-staffed today"— the retail phrase that strikes dread into customers' hearts. Scan-and-go technology offers a practical solution to this perennial challenge by streamlining staffing needs across your mall's retail ecosystem.
When shoppers handle their own checkout process, then you can redeploy your valuable human resources to more impactful customer interactions.
Rather than just handling the registers, your staff can help shoppers find products, provide personalized recommendations, or ensure shelves remain properly stocked.
This redistribution of personnel creates a more dynamic shopping environment while maintaining—or even enhancing—service levels in your mall.
4. Data-driven insights for better decision-making
In retail, as in life, sometimes what isn't said speaks volumes. Traditional checkout systems capture transaction data but miss the customer journey entirely.
Every scan, purchase, and interaction within the scan and go app provides valuable insights into customer behavior.
This wealth of data helps you and your staff understand what your customers buy, and also how they shop.
You will be able to answer questions like:
Which areas of your mall see the most activity?
When do purchase peaks occur?
Which products are frequently considered but abandoned?
These insights can help you optimize store layouts, adjust inventory levels, and create targeted promotions that resonate with your mall's specific demographic.
5. Enabling faster transactions
Let’s be honest—no customer is ever going to ‘complain’ that a transaction was "too quick." In our attention-scarce world, transaction speed isn't just nice to have; it's business-critical.
Scan-and-go technology delivers unparalleled checkout speed compared to both traditional cashiers and self-checkout kiosks.
These systems come with features like preloaded payment methods and contactless transactions that eliminate fumbling for wallets or waiting for card readers to connect.
Apart from that, digital receipts appear instantly within the app, so your customers can easily glance through all their shopping and keep track of their spending.
This streamlined approach minimizes delays at every step and makes it ideal for busy shopping environments like malls where every second of customer time matters.
Final thoughts
The implementation of scan pay and go technology cannot be deemed just a trend—it’s a necessity for malls and retailers like you who aim to stay competitive and want the best for their customers. You have seen how this technology:
Reduce long queues
Enhance operational efficiency
Provide valuable data insights
It offers a clear path to improving both customer satisfaction and business performance.
Beyond the immediate benefits, it positions your mall as a modern, forward-thinking space that prioritizes seamless shopping experiences and adapts to evolving consumer expectations.
Now is the time for mall owners and retailers like you to act.
Exploring scan and go solutions isn’t just an investment in technology—it’s an investment in the future of shopping as well. You can unlock new levels of efficiency, attract more foot traffic, and build lasting relationships with your customers. Don’t let outdated systems hold you back—step into the future of retail today.
