A FRUSTRATED Target shopper has criticized the retailer over its self-checkouts, comparing it to competitors.
The customer asked for more staff at his local store, citing long lines at kiosks and few checkout lines available.
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“@Target your Atlanta locations, particularly Atlantic and Edgewood stations, are in desperate need of staff,” they fumed in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Every time I go, the self-checkout line is longer than ever and only 1-2 regular checkout lines are available.”
The buyer classified the situation as “unacceptable” and compared the self-checkout situation with that of Walmart.
Target promptly responded to the complaints, apologized and confirmed that its store leadership teams would be notified.
Walmart and Target have come under significant scrutiny over their self-checkout processes in recent years.
In recent months, each has made significant policy changes that have affected customers across the country.
CLOSED
Target began testing a 10-item limit for self-checkouts in October at about 200 select locations to provide a better shopping experience.
The brand called it express self-checkout and expanded implementation to around 2,000 stores in March.
Many fans were upset, claiming that Target didn’t accommodate the influx of customers with more than 10 items that needed boxes at checkout.
As a result, long lines emerged both at the self-checkout area and at the few checkout lines that remained open.
Target also tested closing its self-checkout kiosks during certain business hours.
Employees at select locations apparently confirmed closing times online, with some noting that their self-checkout sections were blocked between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Other shoppers said they saw the kiosks closed overnight, before the Target store closed.
It’s unclear whether the rule will be implemented nationwide yet, but Target confirmed the tests in February, per The street.
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.
WALMART CHALLENGES
Walmart recently saw fan backlash over its decision to set aside self-checkout kiosks in some locations for Walmart+ and Spark Drivers subscribers.
Some claimed that most of the kiosks in their stores were now reserved for either group, leaving standard customers with only a few open and long wait times.
Others argued that Walmart was essentially making customers pay the nearly $100 Walmart+ subscription fee to use self-checkout.
Walmart denied this claim, noting that store managers are instructed to make decisions at their locations that best serve all customers.
Retail giants aren’t the only ones getting attention on self-checkout decisions.
Kroger was criticized by some fans earlier this month for a reduction in self-checkout kiosks.
Aldi also made a significant change to self-checkout in Chicago, meaning customers no longer need to stop at kiosks before leaving the store.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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