The real reason Walmart and Costco are axing self-checkout
If you're the type who always picks the self-checkout lane, you're not going to like what's coming. Big retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Target are now starting to get rid of self-checkout because of "stricter regulations" by legislators.
It could be the end of an era
Pretty much every big box store has self-checkout and has for many years now. Love them or hate them, they're a staple.
With recent moves by stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco to get rid of this option, it could spell the end of an era.
Walmart has announced it will eliminate self-checkout machines and look more towards automation. So, it's not quite the end of technology, just a different direction.
It may be a slow change
As of right now, it seems like the return to traditional checkout lines at Walmart, at least, is going to be a slow process.. Some stores have already made the change, some have started, and some haven't even gotten to that stage yet.
Walmart is framing this move as something that will benefit customers. The retail giant says that by eliminating self-checkout, it will increase efficiency and shorten lines.
It seems like those were the same arguments used when they brought in the self-checkout option.
“These changes are guided by feedback from associates and customers, local shopping patterns, and the needs of the business in each community,” said a Walmart spokesperson.
The change is meant to "improve the checkout experience and enable associates to provide more personalized customer service.”
There's more to the story
It seems there's more to the story, though. Self-checkouts are notoriously vulnerable to theft. With shoplifting on the rise across the industry, it makes sense that retailers are looking for a way to tighten up security.
There's also new legislation in NYC that sets a 15-item limit for shoppers in self-checkout lanes. It also requires stores to have one employee for every three self-checkouts.
More employees mean a higher cost to retailers.
Look for scan-and-go technology instead
As self-checkouts wind down, watch for scan-and-go technology to take its place. Companies such as Costco and Walmart are already well into the testing phase.
Source: New York Post
