In recent years, many customers have preferred to use self-checkout machines due to their convenience. However, due to a rise in shoplifting, many stores have removed these machines in favor of staffed checkout lanes.
Safeway is a recent store to join this trend in removing self-checkout machines. The store believes that these machines have partly contributed to the rise in shoplifting, and that is why they have been removed.
Customer Complains About Self-Checkout Machines
The introduction of self-checkout machines led many grocery store customers to believe it would make their shopping habits much easier as it would be quicker to get their shopping done.
However, many problems have arisen with these machines in recent years, causing shoppers to become frustrated with them and want to go back to staffed checkout lanes. This includes the system breaking down, leading to longer waiting times and frustrated customers.
Safeway Removed Self-Checkout Machines in the Bay Area
Safeway stores in the Bay Area of California have recently had their self-checkout machines removed due to a rise in shoplifting in stores in this area.
In a statement, the store said that they are “working on ways to curtail escalating theft,” which is being done so that the store can ensure employee safety and create a more welcoming environment for customers.
Bay Area Stores Are Experiencing a Rise in Shoplifting
Many other stores in the Bay Area have been experiencing a rise in shoplifting, which has led to them implementing various methods to try to combat this.
One example is Fredericksen Hardware & Paint, which has implemented a strategy in which an employee will accompany a customer while they shop.
Dollar General Has Removed Its Self-Checkout Machines
Safeway isn’t the first store to remove its self-check machines. Dollar General made the announcement at the end of 2023 that it would be making the move to remove these machines over the coming months.
This was due to similar reasons, such as the machines breaking down and causing long wait times, as well as it being easier for people to steal items from the store.
Walmart Is Removing Self-Checkout Machines
Walmart is another big-name store that is removing its self-checkout machines. This move is intended to give customers more personalized and efficient service when shopping.
This comes after most retailers believe that organized shoplifting has become more prevalent in the last few years.
Gen Z Prefer Using Self-Checkout Machines
One generation that prefers to use these self-checkout machines is Gen Z. However, this is not because they are technically minded and prefer the speed of these machines.
The reason given is that the use of these machines makes it easier for them to shoplift items, giving stores even more reason to ban the use of them.
Stores Are Closing Due to Shoplifting
The rise in shoplifting has led many stores to implement anti-theft policies. Some customers do not want to shop at these stores anymore because they do not like these new measures.
A combination of shoplifting and boycotts has led to many stores having to close their doors as they were losing money, forcing customers to shop elsewhere.
Self-Checkout Machines Cause a Loss in Sales
Grabango, a company that provides checkout-free tech for stores, found that self-checkout machines cause a shrink that amounts to 3.5% loss in sales.
Shrink is an unknown or unaccounted loss of inventory. The most common form is partial shrink, where a customer pays for part of their shopping and shoplifts the rest.
Self-Checkout Machines Cause More Thefts Than Cashier Lanes
When 5,000 transactions from self-checkout machines were examined, it was found that these machines caused 16 times more losses than staffed checkout lanes.
While it is unknown whether these thefts were accidental or intentional, they do give stores further reason to get rid of these machines.
California Legislation to Restrict Self-Checkout Machines
Legislative action has recently been considered by the Californian government to restrict the use of self-checkout machines in stores to try and address the rise in thefts.
The legislation has only been proposed and has yet to become law. However, if it does become law, stores will have to have at least one employee manning two self-checkout machines, and customers will only be able to use them if they have less than 15 items in their cart.
Poor Communities Are More Likely to Experience Shoplifting
One concern of lawmakers that is part of why this self-checkout restriction law has been put in place is that poor communities are more likely to experience shoplifting.
This leads to a more unsafe environment for staff and customers, which this law will aim to address.
