Some major retailers, such as Dollar General, Five Below, Target, and Amazon, are reversing their years-long investment in self-checkout machines. Dollar General has removed self-checkout options from about 12,000 locations, while Five Below is eliminating them in high-risk locations. Target and Amazon are also limiting or removing self-checkout options at some stores.
The decision to move away from self-checkout comes as retailers try to reduce theft, also known as “shrink,” which can result from both intentional and accidental actions by shoppers or employees. Some companies have stated that theft was a primary reason for removing self-checkout options.
A survey found that 15% of self-checkout users admitted to stealing while using the machines, highlighting concerns about theft. Despite some consumers finding self-checkout machines challenging or unreliable, others appreciate the speed and convenience they offer.
Retail analysts suggest that retailers may be reinvesting in human cashiers to improve customer experience and checkout accuracy. However, they do not expect prices to increase significantly as a result of this shift away from self-checkout.
Although some retailers are moving away from self-checkout, the option is still widely used in the grocery industry, with an estimated 44% of transactions taking place in self-checkout lanes. The future of self-checkout remains uncertain, but for now, it seems that some retailers are prioritizing human cashiers over automated systems.
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