AN angry shopper has blasted the retailer for an unusual late-night self-checkout policy.
After a Target employee voided her transaction at a self-checkout kiosk, the shopper said she abandoned the remaining items in her shopping cart and left.
two
“The light was on and I was almost finished checking out with my cart items completely full, and an employee came over and said, ‘It’s after 8am, self checkout is closed,’ the shopper wrote in a Facebook post.
“She voided my transaction…my life flashed before my eyes!”
The retailer could not confirm whether this is a store-wide policy.
VERIFIED
Shoppers have expressed their frustration with the self-checkout kiosks that retailers continue to implement.
After noticing an increase in organized crime, many big-name retailers like Target have implemented anti-theft measures.
Some of these measures include an increased security presence and random receipt checks.
To stop shoppers from stealing, retailers like Target have also introduced a limit on self-checkout items.
In certain stores, Target shoppers can only use the self-checkout kiosk if they have 10 items or fewer.
Self-checkout was initially introduced as a way to reduce labor costs.
Especially during the pandemic, retailers noticed that shoppers preferred a contactless payment option.
REPRESSION OF CRIME
However, retailers failed to predict the potential for shoplifting.
Many consumers have – intentionally or intentionally – not scanned all of their items at the self-checkout line.
With new anti-theft policies, shoppers no longer crave an in-person shopping experience.
In fact, many are opting for an online or “pickup” option.
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.
Another point of frustration for consumers is that many of their shopping essentials are now locked behind plexiglass.
Buyers generally understand that expensive items like TVs and other electronics should be locked away.
However, retailers are now keeping everyday necessities under lock and key.
Several Target shoppers have noted that it is difficult to obtain baby formula, socks and even underwear.
Customers are left waiting for employees to unlock their items, making the shopping experience unnecessarily long for many consumers.
Meanwhile, a Costco shopper criticized the retailer for its decision to stop selling books.
And a supermarket chain decided to close two of its stores.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
