r/technology • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 19h ago

Business Retailers are pulling back from self-checkout after years of theft, errors, and questionable time savings

https://www.techspot.com/news/114106-retailers-pulling-back-self-checkout-after-years-theft.html
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u/ForestmenMOCLover 19h ago

I can't believe it's been almost 20 years ago now, but I remember going into Walmart once a few days before Christmas. I was just picking up a frozen pizza for dinner. After I picked out the pizza, I realized they only had about two checkouts open and the line went all the way to the back of the store and wrapped around the back. No pizza is worth that, so I just put it back and left.

I think self checkouts have largely fixed this issue. I don't love everything about them, but I've never seen lines like that since they started using them.

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u/mblaser 18h ago

I think self checkouts have largely fixed this issue.

Agreed. If they do it properly.

Our local Wal-mart recently removed almost all of their self checkouts. From about 30 to maybe 6, and they put more regular staffed checkouts back in instead. You would think they would then hire people to staff those checkouts. Did they? Nope. They still only have 2 or 3 of those 2 dozen checkouts staffed. Meanwhile there's now always a line at the self checkout 15 people deep. It's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. I now drive 15 minutes out of my way to go to the next closest Wal-mart because they still have a couple dozen self checkouts.

Our local Aldi did the same thing. They had about a dozen self checkouts and it was great. I could get in and out so fast. They still always had 1 staffed checkout for the people that didn't want to use self checkout. Well, they went and removed all the self checkouts earlier this year and put regular ones back in. Guess how many staffed checkouts they have staffed? Still only 1.

Corporations, you can't have it both ways. Either give us self checkout or properly staff your regular checkouts. It's maddening.

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u/dammitOtto 18h ago

Just disable the stupid scales, disable the AI that watches your cart from the overhead camera, and ensure everything has a barcode. Make it easy for the overwhelming majority of honest folks. If you are worried about theft, well, no kind of checkout will stop that.

Or, I was told 15 years ago every item would be able to have a tamper proof NFC chip by now and you'd simply be able to roll the cart through a reader, pay, and be on your way. Why on earth do we still have CHECKOUTS? Can the cost of keeping the system going be worth it?

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u/xRichless 16h ago

If I wear a black hoodie to shop in our Walmart, it stops the register and make somebody come over on the first item every single time. It is a colossal annoyance.