# Is Scan and Go Right for Your Store? A 5-Point Checklist

Scan and go technology sounds great on paper. Fewer lines, faster in-store checkout, happier customers. But before you jump in, you need to know if it’s the right fit for your store.

Not every store is ready for it. The thing about technology is that it is designed to work and solve some specific problems. So, you need to know whether it works for you or not.

If you're weighing the pros and wondering whether [scan and go](https://www.scannthru.com/) fits your business, this blog lays out five clear indicators to guide your decision

It will help you make the right move for your store and your customers.

Let’s find out.

## 1. Are long checkout lines hurting your store experience?

The items are in the cart. The shopper has what they want. But then they wait because there’s a line at the checkout counter.

And that wait, anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes, can be the undoing of everything that came before it.

Long queues aren’t just an inconvenience. They’re a silent killer of loyalty. They are a barrier between intention and action. Plus, a reason for customers to abandon carts, avoid peak hours, or worse, stop showing up altogether.

So, if your store regularly sees lines forming at checkout, that’s not just a people problem. It’s a system problem.

Scan and go breaks can help you get rid of these bottlenecks. This technology gives your shoppers the ability to scan items as they go and check out without queuing and waiting. 

That’s especially useful during rush hours or seasonal spikes. It empowers your customer to shop on their own terms and removes friction points from the shopping journey.

## 2. Do your shoppers already use their phones in-store?

If you’ve ever watched a customer compare prices on their phone or pull up a coupon from your app, you’re already halfway there.

High smartphone usage in your store by your customers is a clear readiness signal. And for digital-native shoppers, usually Millennials/Gen Z, and even the late adopters from Gen X, smartphones are more than tools. They’re shopping companions.

Scan and go simply meets shoppers where they already are: on their screens. So it's bound to feel intuitive to your customers, not disruptive.

Besides, it aligns with how this generation thinks about control and convenience. They don’t want to wait to be helped. They want to help themselves quickly, quietly, and confidently.

## 3. Are you looking to optimize staff allocation?

Staffing is hard. Labor costs are rising. And turnover rates don’t make it any easier.

Scan and go technology doesn’t mean you will have fewer employees. It means their roles will alter and become more customer-centric. 

For instance, instead of tethering your team members to a register, you can redirect them to where they create more value: guiding customers, managing inventory, or solving real problems on the floor.

This shift in resource allocation improves efficiency without sacrificing experience. 

Hence, it’s about using people where tech can’t compete human connection, empathy, judgment and letting automation handle the rest.

## 4. Is your store setup flexible enough for a new checkout option?

You don’t need a futuristic infrastructure to adopt scan and go.

But you do need a few building blocks in place:

- Real-time inventory visibility

- Ability to process digital payments

- Staff who can assist with tech-enabled experiences

If your current setup already includes these (or is close), you’re better positioned than you think. 

Most [**scan and go solution**](https://www.scannthru.com/mobile-checkout-scan-n-thru/) are designed to plug in without overhauling your existing system.

Think of it not as a replacement, but a layer. A new convenience stacked on top of what is already working well in your store.

## 5. Do you have (or want) a strong loyalty program?

Most [loyalty and reward programs](https://www.scannthru.com/loyalty-and-rewards-programs/) are hidden in the background. It means that they often require separate apps or physical cards.

That won’t be the case with scan and go apps.

These apps bring rewards and redemption on a single platform and right at checkout. Customers see their points. They can apply for deals or promotions in real time. They can also get nudged with personalized suggestions.

This creates a loop: scan, shop, earn, repeat.

If your loyalty program isn’t getting the traction it should, then a mobile-first approach can help you a lot. 

And scan and go is ideal for that. Because it’s already a mobile self-checkout system and it is bundled with loyalty features.

## What to do if you checked 3 or more boxes

If you found yourself nodding through at least three of the five points mentioned, your store is likely ready or close to ready for a Scan and go system.

Well, that doesn’t mean you have to roll it out tomorrow. It means it’s time to explore your options, pilot a solution, and start small.

Because you can’t adopt a technology just for the sake of it. You have to respond to the way shopping behaviors, staff expectations, and retail operations are evolving—whether you’re a chain, a specialty boutique, or somewhere in between.

## Final words

Scan and Go isn’t just for the Targets and Walmarts of the world.

This mobile-based self-checkout technology is becoming relevant for mid-sized and specialty retailers looking to create convenience, loyalty, and operational flexibility.

No doubt, the benefits are clear and obvious over the traditional checkout processes. Still, the decision to bring it to your store should be a careful one.

Because implementation isn’t just about installing a system; it’s about enabling a better in-store experience.

If your store is feeling the friction, now’s the time to rethink the finish line (i.e., your checkout process).

A scan and go solution won’t just modernize checkout, it will reshape how your store flows, feels, and functions.