TARGET’s rivals are benefiting from its new self-checkout policy as customers beg the retailer to listen to their simple solution.
Earlier this year, Target announced the launch of an “enhanced self-checkout experience” across its 2,000 stores.
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This new, “convenient” shopping experience saw the introduction of express self-checkouts in March.
During implementation, Target’s self-checkouts were restricted to those with 10 items or fewer.
Shoppers who exceed the item limit are subsequently forced to visit an ATM.
While Target said the change makes checkout more efficient, there was backlash from shoppers.
read more about self-checkout
Many have complained about long lines, as five-minute trips “turn into 25 minutes,” and stores no longer offer enough cash registers to accommodate those who can no longer use self-checkout.
Others say they were “yelled at” by employees for having too many items in the ATMs.
As consumers grow increasingly frustrated, Target’s rivals like Walmart are being rewarded.
“The target near me is worse than Walmart!” a buyer he wrote in the comments of a post about the retailer on Facebook.
“An open register, self-checkout is limited to 10 items or less and they have a paid employee there to make sure you don’t have more than 10 items.
“I’ve been shopping at Walmart more and more!”
“I only go in and get 10 items so I can use self-checkout, especially if the lines are really long, then they lose money too,” said another.
As loyal customers reluctantly abandon Target, numerous shoppers are begging the retailer to listen to their solution.
“Get rid of all self-checkouts and hire cashiers,” said one.
“Hire more cashiers. Only had 2 open on a busy Sunday this week!” another added.
“Both lines were wrapped around the long hallway and self-checkout was SWAMPEDDDDD.”
“It’s been horrible because they only have 1, maybe if we’re lucky, 2 boxes… Add more boxes!” a third noted.
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.
Meanwhile, changes to self-checkout driven by the industry’s crackdown on theft have led to several retailers being accused of “corporate greed” by placing all responsibility on shoppers.
“It’s the stores’ fault. They don’t want to hire people,” said one Facebook user.
“It’s called corporate greed. They want customers to do the work for free, but in the end they’re losing because people are stealing.”
“These stores will do literally anything except open more cash registers,” said another.
“They would rather try self-checkout, realize they are losing thousands of dollars, and turn it off again.”
Similar criticism has been leveled at companies in response to receipt checks that leave customers feeling like they are being mistrusted and “treated like criminals” despite having no other payment options.
US Sun has reached out to Target for comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
