Major retailers consider pulling self-checkout lanes after customer backlash

Think back to the last time you went to Walmart or a major big box store. Did a cashier scan your items or did you have to use self-checkout?

In recent years self-checkout lanes have become more and more popular; however, not everyone has embraced the advancement in technology leading to plenty of complaints from customers.

Those who aren’t a fan of self-checkout might be excited to learn that some major retailers are considering dialing back on the number of lanes dedicated to self-checkout.

According to CNN, self-checkout lanes were introduced in the 1980s and grew in popularity during the 2000s before exploding during the pandemic.

The initial idea was to cutback on labor expenses, and then during the pandemic self-checkout lanes helped minimize interactions between employees and customers.

While many enjoy the convenience of scanning their own items, others express their frustration over having to do what used to be the job of a store employee.

In addition to an increase in the number of complaints, retailers have also noticed a higher number of losses due to customer error or shoplifting.

A 2016 study showed that retailers with self-checkout lanes and apps suffered a loss rate of about 4% which is more than double the industry standard.

While stores have added additional measures to protect themselves from shrink, some plan to do away with self-checkout lanes entirely.

Earlier this year some Walmarts in New Mexico removed their self-checkout lanes, while a ShopRite in Delaware pulled theirs after too many complaints.

Wegmans used to allow customer to use an app to scan and pay as they shopped around their stores, but they’ve since pulled the app.

And Costco has added more employees near their self-checkout lanes to combat non-members using cards that don’t belong to them.

Related Posts

Barbara Eden, 91: A Living Legend Still Thriving Decades After I Dream of Jeannie

At 91 years old, Barbara Eden is proving that age is no barrier to an extraordinary career. With a remarkable 70 years in the entertainment industry, Eden…

The Function of the Loose Tip

Why Measuring Tapes Have a Loose Tip — And Why It Matters If you’ve ever noticed the metal tip of your measuring tape wobbles slightly, you might…

How to Use This Strange-Looking Kitchen Tool — Explained Simply

Start your morning right with a perfectly soft-boiled egg—firm white, gooey yolk, and crisp toast soldiers for dipping. But cracking that delicate shell with a spoon or…

Heroic Dad of 3 and Camp Counselors Brave Texas Flood to Save Lives

Amid the devastating floods that swept through the Guadalupe River region in Texas, stories of remarkable courage have surfaced. One of the most powerful is that of…

My Husband Puts Up a ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign Whenever I Ask for Help with the Kids — Until I Taught Him a Lesson He’d Never Forget

I was up to my neck in diapers and midnight feedings when my husband found a new way to say, “Not my problem” He didn’t say it…

He Sat Beneath A War Memorial In Silence—But His Dog Told Me Everything

People were posing for selfies in front of the statue. Smiling. Peace signs. One couple argued quietly, like the granite soldier might overhear. But I only saw…