AT least three states have made some significant self-checkout changes for shoppers, including new limits and bans.
Failing to adhere to the legislation could be costly as well, with some fines reaching upwards of $10,000.
Self-checkout changes are happening in three states this year (stock image)[/caption]
Self-checkout has been around for decades, with Kroger being the first to experiment with the kiosks at an Atlanta store in 1986.
Throughout the 1990s and into the mid-2000s, self-checkouts gained more popularity and have now become a staple at top retailers nationwide.
The tech had a mostly positive response at the start, but has since caused significant controversy among Americans, with some arguing they cause higher theft rates.
Others claim it makes the shopping experience less personalized.
Due to the mixed feelings, companies like Kroger, giants like Walmart, Target, and even discount chains such as Dollar General, have worked to improve their self-checkouts drastically in recent years.
Now, at least three states are also taking matters into their own hands to regulate the kiosks for residents.
CALIFORNIA
For example, in Long Beach, California, about 25 miles outside of Los Angeles, a crackdown is being implemented for self-checkout.
The Long Beach city council has voted for a local ordinance to be put in place called “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores.”
Passed on June 17, it requires that grocery stores, retailers, and other small businesses have at least one or more employees supervising every two self-checkout kiosks.
It also requires a 15 item or less limit be put in place, a move that Walmart has been testing at select locations.
Should the ordinance not be followed in Long Beach, retailers could see fines of up to $2,500 for every hour they fail to adhere to it.
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island is also trying to adjust its approach to self-checkout for consumers’ benefit.
A bill spearheaded by Senate President Valarie Lawson would ban grocery stores from having over six self-checkout kiosks open at a time.
It also demands that one traditional checkout lane be available for every two kiosks that are open to use.
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.
Lawson argued that the bill would be especially helpful for those shoppers in the state that find the self-checkout process challenging.
“This bill would provide options for the consumer by making sure staffed checkout lanes are always available while also improving the store environment for workers and consumers,” she said in a statement.
The senate president also argued that the bill would help employees.
“When stores use too many self-checkout stations it can cut worker hours and leave some workers struggling to manually cover eight self-checkout stations on their own.”
As of this month, the bill is still awaiting a final vote from the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
TEXAS
Lastly, Texas is committing to harsher penalties for those who steal at self-checkout kiosks.
There are a few different types of self-checkout theft:
- “The pass around” – Not scanning an item
- “The banana trick” – Ringing up an expensive item using the code of a cheaper one
- “The switcheroo” – Peeling off the sticker of a cheap product and putting it on a pricer item
The Lone Star state is starting to change the fine level shoppers face depending on the value of the items they steal and the method of theft they use at the kiosk.
Those who steal merchandise for under a $100 total will face a maximum fine of $500.
For between $100 and $750 worth of stolen product, it’s up to 180 days in jail and a max fine of $2,000.
Stealing goods valued more than $300,000 is a serious crime, considered felony in the first degree and could be punishable by life in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
To avoid accidentally stealing at checkout, shoppers are advised to listen for the beep, as it can help ensure that an item was scanned properly.
Aldi also spoke out recently after rolling out a controversial self-checkout policy.
A new checkout change at Costco also has shoppers furious, as it is leading to a “cart chaos” zone.
