WALMART customers attacked the store and threatened to start shopping at a major rival after dealing with long queues and closed tills.
Self-checkout has been a point of contention among Walmart shoppers.
Things have heated up since the store began reducing self-checkout operations at several stores.
Shoppers have been voicing their disappointment with the store on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“What Walmart is going on? They closed the self-checkout stations and still only have two cash registers open,” he wrote a disappointed customer.
“They’re about to close the doors because I went in there and left.”
Other customers echoed that sentiment.
“Dear Walmart, I don’t work for you!! Open the damn cash registers,” another shopper added.
“I’m going to leave this entire cart here and go to Target. [You] it has 50 million self-service lines, only three open, 70 million cash registers and only one cashier.
“Make sense!”
A third shopper wrote: “I love how Walmart closed all but two self-checkout lanes but didn’t bother to hire more cashiers.
“Thanks. I wanted to wait 10 minutes for a microwave burrito and a drink.”
CHANGING LANE
Walmart announced it was removing self-checkout registers at select locations to improve the customer experience after receiving a number of complaints about long lines.
“We continually look for ways to offer our customers the best shopping experience and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores,” said spokesperson Josh Havens. Business Insider In September.
“The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, purchasing patterns and business needs in this area,” he later told the NBC affiliate. KSDK.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the opportunity to provide more personalized and efficient service.”
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.
Several New Mexico locations removed kiosks last year.
In April, Business Insider reported that more locations would follow suit.
Select stores in Cleveland, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri, are currently discontinuing self-checkout.
Self-checkout lanes should be replaced by staffed checkouts.
However, Walmart said it has no plans to remove self-checkout registers on a large scale at its 4,700 stores nationwide.
Several retailers have had similar reactions due to self-checkout.
Kroger shoppers said the service was “hurting, not helping” and begged for change.
Meanwhile, Target shoppers said a new self-checkout policy was “ridiculous and unfair.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
