SHOPPERS are rebelling against self-checkout machines at Walmart as store leadership announces it is pulling the kiosks from some stores.
The pros and cons of self-checkout at Walmart have been a hot topic since the option debuted years ago, and new policy changes have done little to curb the debate.
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A shopper in St. Louis County, Missouri recently took to social media to share their opinion on the express checkout option.
“Always refuse to do self-checkout!!!” James Wheeler (@JamesWheeler70) wrote in a post on X.
The user made the comment in response to another post about Walmart’s recent announcement that it would be pulling self-checkout machines from several stores across the country.
“Walmart said the move is to help improve the store’s shopping experience,” read the original post by local Fox affiliate KVVU.
SHOPPERS ON THE FENCE
Other shoppers have made similar comments about self-checkout at Walmart and other major retailers — especially after some stores started making major changes.
Some customers complained when Walmart tried reserving self-checkout for Walmart+ members only, spurring long lines at traditional cashiers in many stores.
“This is SO stupid! So they put these things in to make people crazy and spark arguments about whether or not people like them. Then when we are all used to them and some of us love them….they make a big deal and take them out,” one shopper wrote on Facebook.
But not everyone hates the automated option.
Another customer ripped into Walmart and demanded to know why stores were closing self-checkout kiosks.
“The prices at Walmart are skyrocketing and lines are growing,” DrLeoMarvin5 (@DrLeoMarvin5) wrote on X.
“Now I’m remembering why I never went to Walmart before self-checkout became a thing,” he said.
SELF-CHECKOUT DISAPPEARING
Walmart announced it would begin removing self-checkout machines from select stores last year.
“We continually look at ways to provide our customers with the best shopping experience and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores,” Walmart spokesperson Brian Little told Business Insider.
“The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns, and business needs in this area.”
The move comes as many retailers try to clamp down on growing rates of theft that may be linked to the proliferation of self-checkout machines.
Customers were 21 times more likely to steal when using self-checkout than a cashier, according to one study by shopping analysts at Grabango.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service,” Little told local NVC affiliate KSDK.
Since the announcement, there has been a slew of headlines about store closures in both big and small cities across the country as well.
Store leadership announced just last week that two stores in St. Louis, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio would be closing their self-checkout kiosks in just a few weeks.
Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
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