A discount store owner decided to remove all self-service machines from a single location to improve the customer experience.
Major retail giants in the United States and Canada are returning to their old ways and reinstating traditional checkout measures as customers continue to complain.
Giant Tiger discount store franchise owner Scott Savage made the switch in Stratford, Ontario – about 150 miles west of Toronto, Canada.
Savage said that rather than the theft being the impetus for the change, it was because many senior customers didn’t like using the machines, he said. complete blood count.
“The biggest complaint you have from everyone is, ‘You guys don’t pay me to work here,’” Savage said.
“They lined up at my regular checkouts and just preferred that service.”
READ MORE about Self-checkout
Giant Tiger, which started in 1961, sells discounted household products, clothing and groceries.
Some customers shared that they were happy with the new decision.
“I like personal contact,” Leslie Clayton-Winget told the outlet.
“You can’t tell a machine, ‘Have a nice day.'”
Another client was keen for people to stay employed.
“I’d rather see people stay employed than [me] doing self-checkout,” said Angela Weber.
In response to major retailers removing a user’s self-checkout posted to X, formerly known as Twitter: “That’s great. I never use them. I imagine if you make a mistake with them you could get in trouble.”
BIG CHANGES
Walmart also recently took the initiative to remove kiosks in some locations as customers continue to complain about long lines and wait times.
Some locations in New Mexico have begun replacing lanes in September 2023, according to Business Insider.
Starting April 18, more locations followed suit, including a location in Cleveland, Ohio and a supercenter in Shrewsbury, Missouri.
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.
Missouri shoppers had a mostly positive response when the announcement was made to the public.
“Thank God, tired of shopping, having to check them out and then coming home to put them away, I felt like I worked at Walmart,” said one customer on Facebook publish.
“Yes, I loved it, I hated the self checkout,” wrote another.
“Good. I always liked that Walmart,” a third wrote, alongside many other comments that said “good” about the new changes.
Brian Little, a Walmart spokesman, spoke with Business Insider about the changes and what they hope it will achieve.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the opportunity to provide more personalized and efficient service,” he said.
“The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, purchasing patterns and business needs in this area. We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the opportunity to provide more personalized and efficient service. “, Little said, for KSDK.
Another spokesperson said Walmart cares about the customer’s shopping experience.
“We continually look for ways to provide our customers with the best shopping experience, and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores,” said Walmart spokesman Josh Havens. Business Insider in September 2023.
Target has also made some recent changes as theft continues to rise.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story