TARGET fans are rebelling and demanding better from the national chain after facing long queues at the till.
Several major retailers like Target and Walmart have made major changes to their store policies in recent years to combat theft.
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Some stores rely heavily on checking receipts, while others use video surveillance technology or security cages.
At Target, a new store policy that limits self-checkout to customers with just ten items or fewer exceeded many shoppers’ expectations.
Target leaders said the measures are aimed at streamlining the customer experience and discouraging theft.
But some buyers aren’t convinced.
Read more about self-checkout
A Target customer recently explained on social media platform X how the store’s new policies have driven them away from the retailer.
“Target if you intend to close self-checkout, then you need to have enough cashiers and packers!” wrote Maggie Martinez (@the_real_Ms_M) On thursday.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control, she said.
“Having to wait more than 30 minutes in line with 1 cashier, without a bagger, is ridiculous! Especially when other employees are standing around without helping!”
She had some advice for Target.
“Pull yourself together!” she wrote.
She ended the message with double angry emojis for effect.
AIMING FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
While most customer complaints on social media go unheard, Martinez was lucky.
Your post was reviewed by a Target employee via the AskTarget X-profile store (@AskTarget).
“Hi Maggie – We want to ensure all of our guests receive the best service when they are in our stores,” Target responded.
“Please let us know which store location you were at by sending us a DM with your name, email, and store location. -Stacie.”
IT IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT
Other Target shoppers have complained about the store’s new policies and resulting long lines in the past.
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 upgrades, 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.
“Dear target, you cannot change the self-checkout to 10 items or less and then just open a normal checkout lane,” another user he wrote in X.
More traditional cash registers should be opened when self-checkout options become limited, store representatives said.
“Nobody has 20 minutes to wait in line to check out,” they fumed.
The user explained that the incident happened at a location in Dallas, Texas.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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