WALMART has spoken out after customers criticized the retailer for closing self-checkout at its location.
Shoppers took to social media to criticize the company for ending self-checkout without explanation.
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Customers who come to the Maplewood, Missouri location expressed their frustration in a Reddit thread.
“Hell on earth just got worse!” A person he wrote.
“I can’t understand how they think closing self-checkout will save money, even if it reduces losses from theft and negligence,” said another person.
“I would rather pay more at Target than wait in a long checkout line at Walmart.”
“I went there today and it was really bad. Cashiers are slow and ineffective,” added a third person.
“I think I’ll go to another Walmart. Very boring because it’s the only one close by.”
While the store didn’t completely remove self-checkout, it was noticeably closed.
When the topic caught Walmart’s attention, the company released a statement to local Fox affiliate KTVIto explain the closure.
“From time to time, our stores adjust the use of staffed registers and self-checkouts,” a spokesperson explained.
“For example, a store may start or end the day with cashiers staffed.
“As the number of shoppers and associated employees increases, these stores open self-service cash registers to manage the increased customer flow. This process is not new.
“During these times of limited access, some stores are designating select self-checkout stations for Walmart+ customers using our Scan and Go service and Spark drivers for faster access and delivery services.
“This decision aims to better manage checkout availability.”
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.
RETURN TO ROUTINE
Walmart made headlines in April after announcing it was completely removing self-checkout from its Shrewsbury store — which is just five miles away from its Maplewood location.
During the two-week process, self-checkout kiosks were replaced with staffed cash registers overnight.
The retailer concluded that this was the best move for the company.
“The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, purchasing patterns and business needs in this area,” said Brian Little, director of global communications for corporate affairs at NBC affiliate Walmart. KSDK reported.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the opportunity to provide more personalized and efficient service.”
That same month, Walmart announced that one of its locations in Cleveland, Ohio, would also become a cashier-only store.
A spokesperson revealed that the Cleveland location had very similar issues to the Shrewsbury store.
A spokesperson cited that their main concerns were “customer and associate feedback, purchasing patterns and market business needs,” according to the FOX affiliate. WJW.
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