“Went to Walmart today and every self-checkout register had 15 items or less,” a shopper wrote on Facebook .
“I asked and was told that is what the company wants. I left my buggy there and went to Food Lion.
“I spend $500.00 plus per month at Walmart, but not anymore.”
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.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
Safeway's self checks are 15 items or less. We went after 5 on Friday and they had one checkstand open. They called for three's a crowd shortly after and several minutes later opened a new checkstand
Robert Corp
25d ago
If you have more than 15 items. You could probably use the same self checkout twice. Although it would be somewhat of a hassle.
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