It seems like only yesterday that self-checkout counters popped up everywhere – but now it feels like they could soon fade away into obscurity. Retailers are backpedaling over an alarming development: Self-checkout theft has proven to be a larger issue than predicted.
However, consumers are already used to the convenience of self-checkout and don’t want to give it up. How, then, can retailers solve the shrink challenge without displeasing their customers?
The solution is already at hand. Scan & Go apps have now been around for some time, and demand for them is growing steadily. The concept is simple: Customers scan and add products to a virtual shopping basket while strolling through the store and then check out – using nothing but the retailer’s app on their smartphone. Like self-checkout terminals, Scan & Go offers convenience. Since customers are logged in, however, it increases accountability, combating theft.
In this article, we will explore the must-have features of a modern Scan & Go app – and how they boost customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Must-have features of a Scan & Go app
In our 2024 retail consumer survey, we asked consumers across the U.S. about their shopping preferences.
Back then, an impressive 74.28% of our respondents answered that they had already used or wanted to try Scan & Go apps. Through their other answers, we gained valuable insights into what they expect from a retail application. That is how we came up with the following must-have features for a Scan & Go app.
Fast and seamless barcode scanning – in real-world conditions
The shopping experience with a Scan & Go app hinges on the barcode scanning experience. The barcode scanning functionality has to work as flawlessly as possible. However, in-store conditions are notably challenging for unsophisticated barcode scanner software. To reliably scan blurry or damaged barcodes even in varying lighting conditions, it takes a more advanced solution.
Intuitive user guidance
A user-friendly interface, including AR overlays for extra guidance, takes a Scan & Go app to the next level. Clear design and instructions simplify barcode scanning for customers, enabling quick and easy scanning and reducing the chance of barcode misreading.
Offline functionality and on-device processing
Network issues could hamper a Scan & Go app’s functionality, causing lags, freezing, or even crashes. That’s why a next-level Scan & Go app should not rely on constant internet connectivity.
There are other benefits to an offline scanner: Consumers don’t need to worry about privacy and data security concerns when there’s no connection to third-party servers and processing happens on-device.
Additional features and access methods
Through our survey, we learned that consumers would also like additional features in a Scan & Go app, such as loyalty programs, exclusive offers, and the ability to scan coupons. By offering such functionalities, retailers can further enhance the shopping experience and keep customer satisfaction high. Additionally, they can gather invaluable insights into their customers’ buying habits.
Optional web app
We also learned that consumers don’t like to clutter their phones with a new app for every retail store they visit. The solution is to offer a web app, which gives them access to the convenience of Scan & Go without them having to download an extra app.
This is what your Scan & Go app could look like with the Scanbot SDK’s ready-to-use UI components
The Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK comes with ready-to-use UI components, enabling you to set up a barcode scanning interface in minutes – and to rapidly tailor it to your use case. With its built-in user guidance, it ensures that your app is easy to navigate and use.
The SDK can be integrated into any mobile or web app and deployed within days. It reliably reads all common 1D and 2D barcodes and makes scanning even damaged, poorly lit, small, or distant barcodes a breeze for your customers. All barcode scanning and processing happens locally, without connection to third-party servers.
Want to see how it works? Here is what your Scan & Go app could look like.
A home screen with a “Start scanning” button with both text and a barcode viewfinder icon clearly shows customers how to initiate the scan:
A viewfinder and clear written instructions facilitate product scanning. Zoom and flashlight options help scan darker or more distant barcodes:
Bounding boxes indicate when a barcode is detected, and an AR overlay gives information about the product:
A color change signals a successful scan, and the customer can see the item added to their virtual shopping basket:
Having scanned all their items, the customer chooses their preferred payment method:
You can also read about how two of our customers integrated the SDK into their retail apps:
Coop Estonia boosted customer satisfaction with rapid and smooth barcode scanning, with zero support tickets related to barcode scanning since the app launch. Coop’s IT service provider, Datanor, especially appreciated Scanbot SDK’s comprehensive software documentation and swift customer support.
Similarly, Rimi Baltic doubled customer engagement with a streamlined Scan & Go experience thanks to the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK.
If you want to learn more about how our solution can enhance your Scan & Go app, contact us at sdk@scanbot.io or try our free Barcode Scanner demo apps now.
