Illinois Shoppers Could See Faster Costco Checkout Soon

Costco Testing 8-Second Checkout System in Select Stores

Costco is trying to turn its checkout lanes into something as quick and easy as a pit stop. Wouldn’t that be amazing? Well, it might actually be happening because Costco has a little something in the works.

How Costco’s Automated Pay Stations Work

They are testing something called “automated pay stations” in select stores, and no word yet on whether it has landed in Loves Park or anywhere else in Illinois. I haven’t seen it out here, but nevertheless, with this system, employees pre-scan customers’ items as they shop.

So when it’s time to check out, shoppers can just walk up to the station and pay, without having to scan each item.

Early word has it that checkout time is a staggering eight seconds. That’s it.

READ MORE: Costco Is Making Big Changes That Will Impact Illinois Members

Costco Aims to Reduce Lines and Improve Shopping Experience

This is just another thing Costco is doing to enhance the speed and convenience of both its in-store and online experiences, with the goal of reducing bottlenecks at the registers and improving overall customer satisfaction.

Right now, customer feedback has been overly positive, with customers loving the in-and-out process, and managers say foot traffic in the checkout area is moving more smoothly.

READ MORE: Costco Cracking Down on Membership Sharing at Stores Nationwide

When Could Automated Checkout Come to Illinois?

Now, before you get too excited, this is still just in the testing phase, and Costco is just gathering feedback and fine-tuning the entire process before expanding it to other stores.

One of the worst parts of shopping is the checkout time, and if Costco manages to fix that, I’m gonna be stoked.