Are Walmart and Target restricting self-checkout?
Related video (2019): Police look for self-checkout thieves who stole $1,100 from Winter Haven Walmart
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Self-checkout fans may be in for a surprise at their local Walmart stores.
According to TODAY.com, certain Walmart locations are only allowing self-checkout for Walmart+ members and Spark delivery drivers.
Walmart’s website says self-checkout is designed to help customers complete shopping faster, and notes that Walmart+ members can use the mobile Scan & Go feature. But recently social media users have posted on sites like Reddit and TikTok showing stores blocking off the self-checkout lanes for members of Walmart+.
“From time-to-time, our stores adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts. For example, a store might start or end the day with staffed checkouts. As the number of shoppers and associate staffing increases, these stores open self-checkout registers to manage the increased customer flow. This process isn’t new,” said Kelsey Bohl, senior manager of corporate communications at Walmart, in a statement to TODAY.com.
TODAY.com said Bohl explained the decision to limit self-checkout lanes to Walmart+ customers is up to the discretion of the individual store managers.
“Store managers have the autonomy to make decisions about what is best for their specific store in their area, for their customers. It’s a very localized decision,” Bohl explained. “Some stores, in some locations, may start the day off and they have associate staff cash registers open only, and as the day goes on, and associate staffing picks up, customer traffic picks up, they’ll open up self-checkout cash registers.”
Walmart isn’t the only store being criticized online. TikTok users noted Target has a similar policy regarding self-checkout availability.
One theory TODAY.com floated as to why these stores are restricting their self-checkout lanes has to do with customers not scanning or paying for all their items, leading to a spike in shoplifting.
The 2023 report by the National Retail Federation shows retail theft is leading to a sizable loss for stores.
But Bohl told TODAY.com that retail theft is just one reason for the change, noting that customer traffic, shopping patterns and feedback are among the many reasons for the policy shift.
“I want to point out that this is not new, it’s not a new operating process,” Bohl said. “I feel like it stems from Reddit and social posts, and that’s why it’s bubbling up right now, but it’s not a new thing.”
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