THANKS to the controversy that the machines have caused, yet another US state is working to pass legislation placing limits on self-checkout.
The self-serve kiosks are hated by many for the trouble they cause, pushing the state to potentially restrict how many machines that stores are permitted to have.
GettyA US state is working to implement certain restrictions on self-serve machines[/caption]The first self-checkout machine was rolled out at a Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia, nearly 40 years ago.
Although the tech has come a long way, the kiosks still have their fair share of issues, from screen glitches to difficulty handling items with tricky barcodes.
Beyond the technical issues with the machines – which frequently force shoppers to call over staff for assistance – many customers despise self-checkout because they feel as if they are providing free labor to retailers.
Several states have rethought their stance on the controversial checkout method in response to consumer complaints and high self-checkout theft rates.
For example, Rhode Island is looking to pass a bill that determines how many self-checkout lanes grocery stores can legally have, per local NBC outlet WJAR.
The bill, introduced by Senate President Valarie Lawson with the goal of reducing consumer frustration, is in the process of being approved by the Rhode Island State House.
If passed, it will ban grocery stores from having more than six self-checkouts opened at a time and require that at least one traditional checkout lane is open for every two self-serve kiosks.
Fans of stores such as Walmart, Target, CVS, and Dollar Tree would not be impacted thanks to an exemption.
The proposal would only affect stores that pull in most of their money from selling groceries.
The Rhode Island bill was approved in the Senate and is moving to the House.
LAMENTED LINES
Shoppers in Rhode Island expressed their mixed thoughts on self-checkout, with Diane Rocha telling WJAR that she preferred traditional cashiers.
“I always seem to have trouble with the self-checkout lines,” said Rocha.
“Someone has to be called over and then you’ve got the flashing light drawing attention to you so I think I would just prefer the traditional checkout.”
Shopper Karen Vinhateiro agreed, noting that the lines for self-checkout were always long, and errors made the process even lengthier.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
“If you do get into a problem, you have no one around to help you out and when she does come, it takes too long,” said Vinhateiro.
A handful of residents admitted that retail giant Target was “not too bad” when it came to self-checkout, aside from a slight need for more staff.
However, shoppers in Warwick – 12 miles south of downtown Providence – claimed that they experienced the most complications at Stop & Shops.
SHIFTING STRATEGIES
Multiple US states have considered or enacted limits on self-checkout machines, pertaining to how many can be open at a time, staff oversight, and item quantity limits.
For example, in California, a bill passed in the Senate last summer detailing that one employee would be required for every two self‑checkout kiosks and limiting the machines to 10 items or less.
Retailers would also be required to have at least one cashier-manned checkout line open whenever self-service is available.
Meanwhile, a proposal in Washington state is advancing that includes a 15-item limit at self-checkout and similar staffing requirements.
In Oregon, a 2020 ballot measure proposed banning more than two self-checkout machines per store, but it ultimately failed to pass.
In another state, Americans are at risk of facing a $10,000 fine thanks to a “self-checkout” law – use the “beep” rule to help you avoid the fee.
Plus, a grocery store chain has rolled out new self-checkout tech that eliminates a vital step in the process – shoppers can pay in seconds.
GettyRhode Island and states such as Oregon, California, and Washington have taken steps to regulate self-checkout kiosks[/caption] Read More Details
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