Are you tired of those never ending check-out lines at retail stores? Wal-Mart is testing a real world solution that could really cut down on checkout times. The company’s new “Scan & Go” app is currently being tested in-the-wild. The app allows shoppers to scan items using their iPhones, and then pay at the self-checkout counter.

According to Jessica Wohl in the Huffington Post, the test was carefully orchestrated:

“Earlier this week, Wal-Mart invited employees with Apple Inc iPhones to participate in a test at a Wal-Mart supercenter in Rogers, Arkansas, near the company’s headquarters…

…Wal-Mart’s test appears to be limited to one store, but it appears that the company sought out participants beyond its staff for its study. The company asked employees to reach out to friends and family in its search for participants, according to a copy of an email sent by the company’s @WalmartLabs team and obtained by Reuters. A company spokesman would not verify this on Friday afternoon.

Wal-Mart offered participants in one-hour sessions $100 for their time and a $25 gift card to use in the store for purchases, according to the form on the Survey Monkey website.”

A major retail store like Wal-Mart knows the importance of testing in-the-wild, before releasing the app store-wide to customers. If the app didn’t function correctly it could cost Wal-Mart major bucks and credibility. Also, if the purpose is to cut down on checkout times and make shopping easier – it will be important to see if the app does improve efficiency once it is placed in a real shopping environment.

Thoughts on scan and shop technology – does it work or does it just create more hassle? Let us know in the comments section.