A shopper recently compared a trip to Target to going through a TSA checkpoint at the airport.
The comment comes as the retailer begins enforcing several new policies.
Target is the latest of several retailers to begin imposing item limits on its self-checkout machines.
In certain stores, Target shoppers can only use the self-checkout kiosk if they have 10 items or fewer.
In addition to item limits, the superstore has begun implementing tighter security as well as random receipt checks
“Entering Target is no longer pleasant, they have locked everything and have to go through TSA to get out,” lamented user publish.
In the past, many users have expressed how much they loved going to the supermarket.
However, the so-called “Target Effect” has been questioned since the implementation of the new measures.
“I’m genuinely curious about @Target’s motivation for imposing a 10 item limit on self-checkout,” wrote one user on X.
“Everyone used to marvel at the ‘target effect’ – walking in with a list of a few items and walking out with a $200 basket.”
“Now Target appears to be actively undermining this effect.”
It was previously reported by The US Sun that Target rolled out this new policy to 2,000 locations on March 14 after a test.
The chain said these limited checkouts had a positive effect on shoppers during the trial period.
“The result: self-checkout was twice as fast in our pilot stores,” the chain said in a statement. declaration.
Self-service machines were first introduced in retail to reduce costs and streamline the in-person shopping experience.
“During the pandemic, many guests preferred to use self-checkout for all of their purchases because it offered them a contactless option,” the retailer said in a statement. Press release.
Anti-theft measures implemented by retailers
Retailers in the US and Canada have implemented strategies designed to combat theft. The US Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented in stores.
- Lock items in cabinets.
- Safety stakes.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
“To learn more about guest self-checkout preferences, we tested the Express Self-Checkout concept with limits of 10 items or less in about 200 stores last fall.”
Self-checkout was twice as fast in pilot stores, the retailer reported.
However, it appears that many shoppers have criticized the major retailer for making them wait longer to complete their purchase.
“Hey @target, you lost a customer today because the Burlington NJ store is unable to staff the cash registers despite a ridiculously long line for self-checkout,” tweeted the buyer.
A brand representative quickly followed up.
“We apologize for your experience! We will pass your feedback on to store management in hopes of a better experience for our guests in the future!”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story