SHOPPERS in one US state could end up paying the most for groceries if a new self-checkout law goes ahead, grocers have warned.
The law would force all retailers including Walmart and Kroger to adopt new checkout processes such as item limits and bans.
Shoppers in California could end up paying much more for their groceries than others if the new law is passed, opposers have said (stock)[/caption]
The proposed law would force all retailers in the state to rethink their self-checkout processes (stock)[/caption]
It comes as California senators move to protect worker rights, save money, and cut down on retail theft.
The prevalence of self-checkouts is a large part of this issue, they argue.
Under Senate Bill 442, all retailers in the state would have to scrap the self-service machines unless they have at least one manned cashier available to shoppers.
They would also have to stop shoppers with more than 15 items from using self-checkout as well as those who are buying age-restricted items.
Other aspects of the bill include officials from the retailer informing employees that they will be installing self-checkouts months before they actually do so.
Stores that fail to follow the stipulations laid out in the law face fines of up to $200,000.
“Self-checkout and the reduction in frontline grocery workers have created a range of problems for retailers, workers, and the public,” the senators state.
“Retailers have increasingly implemented automated checkout to drastically cut staffing and reduce labor costs.”
But while a number of lawmakers support the move, grocers have warned of the negative impact on shoppers.
They fear the new law will ramp up labor costs which will be passed on to consumers rather than absorbed by the business.
“This seems like a clear example of why Californians pay the highest prices for groceries, regardless of what checkout line they go through,” Daniel Conway from the California Grocers’ Association said at a committee meeting in June.
It comes as shoppers are already tightening their belts over inflation and new tariffs.
Republican Senator Shannon Grove called the move “completely unacceptable”.
She staunchly opposes the notion that laws can be brought in banning automation which could lower business costs.
Three self-checkout changes that could be coming to California:
The following self-checkout changes have been proposed in Senate Bill 442 affecting grocery and drug stores.
- Self-checkout shoppers limited to maximum of 15 items
- No longer allowed to go through self-checkout with age-restricted items
- No self-checkout if there isn’t at least one manned cashier desk available
“It’s a labor thing, I get it,” fellow Republican senator Kelly Seyarto said.
“I’d like as many people to work as possible, but I’d also like to afford the groceries.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the bill have highlighted how it aims to cut down on theft and loss which would protect store profits and actually save shoppers money.
“Data shows that self-checkout machines cause 16 times more shrink [theft/loss] than checkout via a cashier,” the bill states.
“Legislation is required to ensure that deployment and use of self-checkout in grocery stores does not increase crime, increase cost that is passed onto consumers in higher food prices, and increase unemployment or underemployment.”
Governor Gavin Newsom‘s office has not issued comment on the proposed law as the legislation is still pending.
The bill has moved to the Assembly Appropriations, where if passed, it will go to the Assembly floor.
