A NEW Walmart policy meant to improve the store has left shoppers fuming as they now have to deal with longer lines.
Walmart has decided to remove self-checkout from some locations, making certain customers angrier than ever.
1
“Walmart SHUT down all the self-checkout lanes in our local California store. Now, it takes at least TWICE as long standing in line. This state … SUCKS!” one customer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another user shared a similar sentiment, explaining how hard it has become to leave the store in a timely manner.
“Checking out at @walmart is suck a f***ing hassle now! No human cashiers and the self-checkout line is ALWAYS long as f***! Who thought THIS was a good idea?!” a user tweeted.
These reactions come after the retailer announced that it was getting rid of self-checkout in certain locations last month.
Many of the self-checkout lanes have been replaced with staffed registers.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service,” 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. 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 said, per KSDK.
Another spokesperson chimed in on the matter saying the new policy would hopefully bring a better shopping experience for Walmart shoppers.
“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 Josh Havens told Business Insider,
LONG LINES NO MORE
While customers of Walmart’s retail stores have been having issues with long lines, its wholesale club, Sam’s Club, has been trying to rectify the situation.
In January, the company announced that it would be getting rid of receipt checks in favor of its new AI scanner.
The system can capture the image on the cart and verify purchases without creating a dreaded long line.
“Both exit technology and Scan & Go are driving new levels of convenience and raising member satisfaction among members,” Sam’s Club chief product officer Todd Garner said in a press release.
“What distinguishes Sam’s Club from our competitors is our ability to seamlessly deploy this technology at scale across our nearly 600 clubs nationwide.
How does Sam’s Club AI cart scanner work?
Sam’s Club has decided to stop checking customers receipts and instead, use AI machines to scan carts.
Shoppers can either pay at a register or use Sam’s Club Scan & Go through its app.
Once customers pay, at the exit area of the club, computer vision and digital technology take pictures of carts and verify payment for all items.
The company hopes this new method will reduce long wait times at receipt checks.
“At Sam’s Club, we care about every second a member spends with us so eliminating even the few seconds it takes to scan a receipt at the exit door it’s well worth it,” Sam’s Club Chief Merchant Megan Crozier said during the Walmart Keynote.
“We aspire to be the most convenient place to shop.”
“Whether it’s a single item or a cartful, we’re revolutionizing the checkout experience.”
Since adding the scanner to stores, people have been able to leave 23% faster.
The success of the new tool has led to Sam’s Club putting the scanner in over 120 locations, and Walmart customers want it as well.
“Great idea. Use it for Walmart too. No more problems with employees fighting with customers who have paid for all their items,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“Walmart next! There’s never any open human checkouts!” another person commented.
“Then stop trying to check my receipt at Walmart!” a third person wrote.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines
