SELF-CHECKOUTS are once again a hot topic after a Kroger shopper asked the retailer to make a change.
Retailers are struggling to find the balance between keeping operating costs low, protecting inventory and offering customers the option of self-service.
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As a result, several stores have launched tests and made changes to their self-checkout areas, which have been identified as a problem area for theft.
According to a recent survey by loan tree69% of people surveyed believe that self-service machines facilitate theft, with 15% saying they have committed theft.
Most shockingly, 44% of them said they would do it again.
Now, a Kroger store in Indiana has come under fire after reducing the availability of self-service cash registers.
“@kroger I think your store should really consider opening both self-checkout areas during peak hours at 10679 N Michigan Rd,” a customer he said on X, formerly Twitter.
“You are trying your best, but I think a change is necessary at this time.
“The new system is unfortunately hurting rather than helping.”
Kroger responded by thanking the customer for the feedback, saying it would be forwarded to the leadership team.
The customer complaints come just weeks after a fellow Kroger shopper shared her horrible self-checkout experience at an Arkansas location.
After facing long lines at the checkout, the buyer threatened the retailer with competition from a rival store that had just opened in the region.
“New competition from Edwards Food Giant does not appear to have emerged,” the buyer said on X.
In the photo accompanying the post, two rows of self-checkouts have been closed.
Kroger apologized for the frustrating lines at the store, but other customers shared their own experiences with someone who had lines in the back of the store.
Another said they refuse to visit the store at certain times.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at several locations were made available only to Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed at specific times and more cashiers were offered in its place.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting would fuel 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 thwart fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, this test has been discontinued.
At Target, items are being limited in auto-checkout.
Last fall, the brand researched new express self-checkout lanes in 200 stores with 10 items or less for added convenience.
In March 2024, this policy was expanded to 2,000 stores in the US.
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After becoming so frustrated, he demanded the return of checkout lines and the removal of ATMs.
“Put people back to work,” he demanded.
Kroger was contacted for comment.
Other retailers have also received the same criticism, especially Target, after it introduced a new policy limiting self-checkouts to 10 items.
However, more self-verification changes could be on the way if a proposed law passes in California.
Under the legislation, Walmart and other retailers could be forced to follow Target’s item limitation policy and add employees to their self-checkouts.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
