Walmart is reconsidering self-checkout or at least reevaluating it. The super chain announced it's going back to traditional cashiers at select locations. Select stores in Ohio, Missouri, and South Carolina are ditching self-checkout as an option.
While its not necessarily a sign of things to come, Walmart is keen on testing out a traditional model of checking out. Should it prove to be successful then who knows what the future holds for the retailer nationally? Walmart spokesperson Briand Little told USA Today it is part of Walmart's "announced plans for additional investments and improvements to stores across the country."
Walmart decided to make the move based on both feedback from customers as well as larger shopping trends. It's just the latest shakeup with the store looking to cut down on potential shoplifting.
"The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns and business needs in this area," Little added. "We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service."
So far, Walmart hasn't announced any plans to remove self-checkout lanes from stores nationwide. However, a representative for the company said they're constantly looking for new ways to change up and improve their stores. "Our managers look for ways to innovate within their stores and pay close attention to customer feedback on where they can better meet their needs," company spokesperson Joe Pennington previously said. "There are no current plans for self-checkout removals nationwide."
Walmart And Chains Crack Down On Self-Checkout
Walmart isn't the only one making the change to its self-checkout lanes. Target and Dollar General are also changing up their self-checkout lanes and the way that they worked. Both began limiting how many items can be purchased at self-checkout. In Dollar General's case, the CEO Todd Vasos announced the chain was removing self-checkout from more than 300 stores. Dollar Store specifically targeted stores where the most shoplifting occurred. Additionally, you can only use self-checkout for five items or less at the chain.
Meanwhile, Target announced that its limiting its self-checkout to 10 items or less. The chain encouraged customers with large shopping cart full of groceries to go to a traditional lane. Overall, it seems these chains are taking a step back from the direction of self-checkout. While it may inconvenience some who prefer the speediness of it, it should create more jobs for people as well.
FAQs
“As part of our announced plans for additional investments and improvements to facilities across the country, we've decided to remove self-checkout lanes and replace them with staffed lanes at select locations,” Brian K. Little, a spokesperson for Walmart, told Supermarket News.
What's going on with Walmart self-checkout? ›
Walmart is joining the ranks of retailers rethinking self-checkout, with the industry giant in the process of removing the self-service lanes at a store in Missouri.
What is Walmart replacing the self-checkout machines with? ›
Walmart is removing self-checkout kiosks at select locations, including two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland, in favor of associate-staffed checkout lines, Business Insider reported last week and a Walmart spokesperson confirmed to sister publication CX Dive Monday.
Why is Walmart getting rid of cashiers? ›
The Walmart decision-makers also took employee and customer feedback into account. “We believe the changes will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service,” Little said.
Why are they getting rid of self-checkout? ›
The decisions come amid retailers' ongoing efforts to tamp down on “shrink,” an industry term for all the ways inventory can get lost, including through error or theft by shoppers or employees. Some of the companies shifting gears on self-checkout have blamed theft for their moves.
Why is Walmart shutting down self-checkouts? ›
Walmart is scaling back on its self-checkout machines at two stores, as more retail giants are reducing the self-service option at their stores, citing an effort to combat theft. A Walmart in a suburb of St. Louis, Mo, recently began removing self-checkout machines, CBS News reported on Friday.
Is Walmart charging $98 to use self-checkout? ›
No TikTok, Walmart isn't charging $98 to use self-checkout.
Is Walmart going back to cashiers? ›
“As part of our announced plans for additional investments and improvements to facilities across the country, we've decided to remove self-checkout lanes and replace them with staffed lanes at select locations,” Brian K. Little, a spokesperson for Walmart, told Supermarket News.
Why is Walmart changing their name? ›
Why is Wal-mart changing its name to Walmart? It's not about the hyphen, it's about going from Wal-Mart Stores Inc to Walmart Inc. It's about dropping the stores due to Wal-Mart being so much more that just the brick and mortar buildings. Hope that clarifies.
What does Walmart call their cashiers? ›
Position Summary...
Our Member Frontline Cashier Associates are the heart of our front end. You play a major role in how our members feel in the club and when they leave. You might be the first, last, and sometimes only associate that our members interact with.
What is the total pay trajectory for Cashier?
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|
| Cashier | $42,451 /yr |
| Lead Cashier | $43,479 /yr |
| Cashier I | $47,244 /yr |
Aug 26, 2024
Exiting the Store: Generally, shoplifting charges apply if you exit the store without paying for the items you're suspected of stealing. However, intent to steal can still be proven if you were caught concealing items but hadn't yet exited the store.
Is Walmart reconsidering self-checkout? ›
In line with recent trends among grocery retailers, Walmart is rethinking its self-checkout strategy. One of the company's locations in St. Louis, Mo., and another in Cleveland, Ohio, will see their self-checkout kiosks removed in favor of adding more traditional checkout options, according to reports.
Why are people against self-checkout? ›
If they could get the consumer to think that [self-checkout] was a preferable way to shop, then they could cut labour costs. But they're finding that people need help doing it, or that they'll steal stuff. They ended up realising that they're not saving money, they're losing money."
What states is Walmart replacing self-checkout in? ›
Walmart Supercenters in St. Louis, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio, are removing self-checkout. The change follows a similar move last year at three locations in New Mexico. Major retailers have taken other steps to address some of the problems raised by self-service tech.
Why is everyone going to self-checkout? ›
SELYUKH: The kiosks were a breakthrough for retail. Shoppers could skip long lines, workers could do other tasks, companies could save on labor costs. Over years, the machines have likely replaced tens of thousands of cashier jobs, but they've also shown their flaws.
How much money has Walmart lost due to self-checkout? ›
Walmart (WMT)
Walmart (NYSE:WMT) suffered losses from retail theft of an estimated $3 billion in 2021, $6.1 billion in 2022 and $6.5 billion in 2023. A significant portion of these numbers—up to 50% of the overall stolen losses—come from self-checkout theft.
Are Walmart and other retailers reducing self-checkout lanes? ›
Retailers limit, eliminate self-checkout lanes amid theft concerns. Some retailers, such as Walmart, have begun to limit or eliminate self-checkout lanes to curb theft.
