MAJOR changes coming to Walmart, Target and Best Buy could affect how shoppers use self-checkouts and what they can spend their money on.
The retail industry is also set for a massive law change that promises to save stores billions of dollars annually in lost revenue.
Shoppers face the possibility of major changes to self-checkouts and consequences for theft[/caption]
RETAIL THEFT
Shoppers are being affected by three main changes to their retail experiences, starting with eight states in the US with a new clothing theft law.
These states are set to issue fines of up to $5,000 to shoppers who commit theft and fraud.
This mainly targets those who steal an item of clothing or purchase it knowing they will only return it after one use.
A store would be able to prove retail fraud by looking at surveillance footage and the shopper’s transaction history.
The states include:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Michigan
- California
- Arizona
- Illinois
- New York
- Texas
For a minor offence involving lower-value items, shoppers may be fined up to $1,000.
For higher-value goods, or if the shopper is as repeat offender, the customer risks facing felony charges and a fine of up to $5,000.
SNAP RESTRICTIONS
In August, President Donald Trump confirmed that 12 states have restricted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries from buying certain foods.
This limits millions of shoppers from buying what they want.
The state list now includes:
- Colorado
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Utah
While each state has rolled out separate restrictions, all 12 of the states have restricted soda and sweetened drinks from being bought with SNAP benefits.
Florida and Louisiana have expanded the SNAP restrictions to include energy drinks and candy, per Straight Arrow News.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets
- Security pegs
- Security cameras
- Signs warning about the impact of theft
- Receipt scanners
- Receipt checks
- Carts with locking technology
Arkansas has taken this a step further, banning SNAP purchases of fruit and vegetable drinks that contain less than 50% natural juice.
Most the the restrictions don’t go into effect until 2026.
CHECKOUT CHANGE
In California, Senate Bill 442, written by Los Angeles Democratic state Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, would impose strict self-checkout restrictions.
If the bill is passed, it would impose a 15-item limit on self-checkout machines.
It would also prohibit shoppers from buying items that require age verification at self-checkouts.
Smallwood-Cuevas said that this would prevent checkout theft.
But Daniel Conway with the California Grocers Association claimed that it would damage shoppers.
He said: “By increasing labor costs, you’re going to increase grocery costs.”
For higher-value goods, or if the shopper is as repeat offender, the customer risks facing felony charges and a fine of up to $5,000[/caption]
If the bill is passed, it would impose a 15-item limit on self-checkout machines[/caption]
