‘It’s like a madhouse,’ rages Walmart shopper after new self-checkout rule – begs store to ‘add more cashiers’

WALMART is facing backlash from shoppers after it imposed a limit on how many items they can ring up at self-checkout.

Customers reached out to Walmart on X to express their frustration about the policy update.

The retailer recently began limited self-checkout to shoppers with 15 items or less.

Shoshana (@shan_shan_78) begged Walmart to reconsider after waiting in long lines.

"Dear Walmart, if you're going to go back to 15 items or more being rung with a physical cashier, please add more cashiers!" she wrote on X.

"It's like a madhouse just to buy groceries."

She wasn't the only one to experience this issue.

"I’m all about obeying rules, but if you’re going to have self-checkout only 15 items or less, you should have more than two cashiers working," added fellow shopper Joe (@joethecynic).

Some customers said the change caused enough disruption that they would start shopping at rivals like Aldi and BJ's.

One shopper suggested increasing the number of items allowed through self-checkout since most people shop for groceries at Walmart.

"Walmart, I can't say I love the new 15 items or less policy for self-checkout. It wouldn't be so bad if the cashiers would move a heck of a lot faster. Spent more time in checkout than shopping," they wrote.

"But should really increase the number from 15. I can't wait in lines like that every time."

MISSED THE MARK

Target launched a ten-item or fewer rule for self-checkout in March.

The company promised the move would create "express self-checkout" lanes.

A pilot test found that the limit made self-checkout twice as fast, but Target faced a backlash similar to Walmart.

"As someone who consistently gets 12 items at Target, the self-checkout express lane being for only 10 items or less really has me considering switching loyalties," wrote one X user.

“I’d rather shop at Walmart than wait 10+ min with 11 items because of your strict enforcement policy,” added another shopper.

Latest self-checkout changes

Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.

Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.

Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.

While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled 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 stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.

However, that test run has been phased out.

At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.

Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.

As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.

Target shoppers regularly complain about waiting in long lines while only a handful of traditional registers are open.

“A five-minute trip has now turned into 25 because there are only two lanes open, and the lines are in the women’s section,” one Target customer posted on X.

Target apologized to the customer, saying stores are working to prioritize full-service, traditional registers.

“We're prioritizing full-service check lanes to support our guests during the entire day and intend to open Express Self-Checkout to support busier times," the store wrote.

The retailer announced it would stop accepting a standard payment starting this week.

Fans are rushing to find nine rare Squishsmallows toys available at Target only.