AT&T Stores to get an Apple Style Feel

AT&T is planning to drastically change the way its stores look starting in the year 2013, replacing fixed point of sale terminals with use of smart phones and tablets. 


In large part, AT&T wants to create a retail experience more akin to the Apple Stores, and one has to wonder how many other retailers will decide the more-informal, check out without standing in line experience is workable as well. 


That could lead to rather large changes in the design of retail locations, some would argue, showing one more unexpected change from the shift to mobile payments technology. 

Telstra, the Australian communications services provider, also is considering a similar change in retail store format. 


After a successful test project in a Washington supermarket, Qthru is officially launching its mobile platform allowing shoppers to scan items with their smart phone as they shop to facilitate a more efficient checkout using their phone. The Qthru approach retains the traditional POS terminal locations, but speeds checkout because the scanning of products already has been done. 

"Given recent advancements in technology, consumers are realizing there is a better way to check out of a retail store without standing in a long line," Aaron Roberts, founder and CEO of QThru, says.