Retail Giants Rethink Self-Checkout Strategy Amid Surge in Theft
Big box retailers like Walmart and Target are making significant changes to their checkout lanes, scaling back on self-checkout options, and the primary driver appears to be the massive problem of shoplifting. While some customers might be stunned by these moves, many of us predicted this was coming.
It was widely known that self-checkout was ripe for abuse, making it incredibly easy to game the system, skip scan, and shoplift. Despite this, Target, just last March, had committed to putting self-checkouts in all 2,000 of their U.S. locations. Now, they are quietly walking that plan back with a series of “quiet U-turns”. Why quiet? Likely because they anticipate accusations of racism from the “usual suspects”. Shoppers and employees are reporting kiosks being removed, item limits being imposed, and self-checkout lanes frequently being left closed.
Target has even cited theft as a reason for closing entire stores because they couldn’t get the problem under control. We’ve all seen the stories; they’re locking up meat and putting “chastity belts” around products.
But it’s not just Target. Other retailers are also pulling back: Dollar General is removing self-checkouts entirely from 300 stores, Costco is adding more staff to these areas, and Kroger is reintroducing traditional staffed lanes where they had exclusively offered self-checkout. Experts agree that machines are vulnerable to theft, which is a growing problem.
So, why the surge in theft? According to our sources, there are a few key reasons. Firstly, many stores are refusing to prosecute shoplifters. If you get caught, you often just give the stuff back and are let go – there’s no real penalty, so why wouldn’t people risk it?.
On top of that, “woke” district attorneys are reportedly not pressing charges even when stores want prosecution. And in places like California, laws making theft under a certain amount (reported as around $900) just a misdemeanor mean people are constantly stealing right up to that limit. Is it any wonder people figured that out?. This creates a situation where “woke politicians” have made things this way.
Based on personal experience working retail at places like Walmart, Best Buy, and Menard’s, I’ve seen all sorts steal – men, women, black, white, kids, and elderly people. The elderly often steal batteries and hearing aid supplies. Young girls steal makeup. At Menard’s, it was often Mexicans. In cities like Milwaukee, you might see a specific group stealing. However, the self-checkout system was particularly easy to abuse for everyone.
Some claim cashiers steal, but in my experience working retail most of my life, it’s nearly impossible for cashiers to steal because their drawers have to balance and they are watched. They probably steal the least.
The funny thing is, companies implemented self-checkout supposedly to save money, but you still need staff watching or helping anyway. Honestly, if I have to do the job myself, they should give me a discount, like 10% off.
Ultimately, these quiet changes by retailers like Target and Walmart are a direct response to unchecked theft. The lack of prosecution by district attorneys and changes in laws have created an environment where stealing has become commonplace, forcing businesses to adapt and rethink the self-checkout convenience they once pushed. It seems the consequences of not enforcing laws are catching up.
