DALLAS – Walmart is working on a new concept for its Sam’s Club warehouse stores, one that will incorporate its Scan & Go mobile self-checkout system, Chain Store Age reports. The Dallas store will have only 32,000 square feet, a smaller footprint than usual Sam’s Clubs, and will be only for Sam’s Club members. The store is scheduled to open this fall.

“This will be smaller than a typical club—which is perfect for testing innovations in a live shopping environment,” said Jamie Iannone, CEO of Sam’s Club. “You can expect to see a new level of convenience at this facility, and the technologies we use will continue to evolve.”

The new store is being designed with a shopper’s digital experience in mind, such as adding Walmart’s Scan & Go mobile self-checkout and digital signage. The store also will have a quicker membership signup, same-day pickup, delivery and self-serve returns. The concept’s 1000–2000 items will focus on fresh foods, grab-and-go meals, consumable products and convenience items.

“The cashierless trend is really part of the bigger picture of needing to put the customer experience first. For brick-and-mortar shoppers, the biggest pain point is checkout,” said Tom Caporaso, CEO of Clarus Commerce. “Amazon Go was a success because it found a way to remove that friction from the experience. Retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club are realizing how important it is to focus on their customers. As consumers continue to change, retailers need to find ways to change with them.”

Meanwhile, Walmart has opened a small-format Walmart Supermarket in China, with an additional five stores in the works by the end of 2018, Chain Store Age reports. The “smart” store has an online and offline experience with fast delivery, convenience items and fresh foods.