Post by Admin on Apr 25, 2024 3:03:16 GMT
Those self-checkout lanes have fallen out of favor, and some big-name retailers are looking to close them. Experts say this is all about stopping shoplifters.
Professor Thomas McMillan heads the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M. He says that some younger shoppers like the self-checkout. Walmart announced this month that they are phasing out the self-checkouts at stores in St. Louis.
It comes after a decision by Dollar General that it is returning to regular checkouts at thousands of locations. And Target has begun limiting how many items a shopper can have in self-checkout lanes.
Retailers are pulling back, but not abandoning, self-checkout, Neil Saunders, managing director, retail, at GlobalData told CBS MoneyWatch.
Rising theft—part of what retailers call "shrink"—is the primary reason self-checkout is being ditched in some stores and restricted in others, according to Saunders. "They are trying to see how this plays a role in the future, but it's not going to be the same thing they've done for decades, where it's a free-for-all, and anyone could use it. There is a lot more caution," said Saunders.
According to CBS News, Walmart is removing self-checkout from two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland.
The company cited customer feedback as one of its reasons for removing self-checkout kiosks in Shrewsbury. "As part of our announced plans for additional investments and improvements to stores across the country, we're converting the self-checkout lanes at our 7437 Watson Road store in Shrewsbury, Missouri., to traditional checkout lanes," a Walmart spokesperson emailed CBS MoneyWatch. "We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service."
Professor Thomas McMillan heads the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M. He says that some younger shoppers like the self-checkout. Walmart announced this month that they are phasing out the self-checkouts at stores in St. Louis.
It comes after a decision by Dollar General that it is returning to regular checkouts at thousands of locations. And Target has begun limiting how many items a shopper can have in self-checkout lanes.
Retailers are pulling back, but not abandoning, self-checkout, Neil Saunders, managing director, retail, at GlobalData told CBS MoneyWatch.
Rising theft—part of what retailers call "shrink"—is the primary reason self-checkout is being ditched in some stores and restricted in others, according to Saunders. "They are trying to see how this plays a role in the future, but it's not going to be the same thing they've done for decades, where it's a free-for-all, and anyone could use it. There is a lot more caution," said Saunders.
According to CBS News, Walmart is removing self-checkout from two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland.
The company cited customer feedback as one of its reasons for removing self-checkout kiosks in Shrewsbury. "As part of our announced plans for additional investments and improvements to stores across the country, we're converting the self-checkout lanes at our 7437 Watson Road store in Shrewsbury, Missouri., to traditional checkout lanes," a Walmart spokesperson emailed CBS MoneyWatch. "We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service."