‘Done with this business,’ fume Target shoppers as new checkout policy sees wait times increase by ‘an hour’

SHOPPERS are blaming long lines on Target’s new self-checkout policy.

Target ran a pilot test of the 10-item or fewer limit for self-checkout last fall.

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The retailer found that self-checkout went twice as fast and began rolling out the change to all stores in March.

Despite the time that has passed, customers are still having issues with the policy.

The lanes are supposed to be “express,” but shoppers say they’re anything but speedy.

“Hey Target, if self-checkout is 10 items or less, open up more than one register,” wrote Josh Morton ( @reallivesports ) on X , after waiting for an hour.

“I’m done with this business.”

Target apologized and asked him to send him a message to resolve the issue.

When the retailer first implemented the policy, it said it would open more traditional lanes staffed by employees for customers with bigger hauls.

Customers have begged Target to act on this promise.

“If Target is going to ‘force’ people to use human checkout — rather than self-checkout — they need to open more than two lanes,” shopper Gina Giordano wrote in a Facebook post .

Another customer said a shopping trip that would usually take five minutes now took 25 because of the policy.

CHECKED OUT

Target ruffled feathers when it announced it would no longer accept checks last month.

Checks were only used in 3% of transactions in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve .

Due to “extremely low volumes” Target stopped accepting checks on July 15.

The retailer said it took “several measures” to notify guests in advance, but some customers still faced issues.

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.

“ Target, hey, you changed your policy so that we can’t pay off your card with a check two weeks ago and never sent an email about it,” the shopper wrote on X.

“Great job. Good thing I had some cash with me, but I’m going to get charged interest because of this? That’s some BS.”

The store apologized and said it started alerting customers about the change on June 16.

Other customers said the move would hurt Target in the long run.

“Makes me sad for so many elderly shoppers and organizations, clubs, etc. who shop there. I love Target, but I think this move will ultimately hurt them,” commented a shopper on a Facebook post.

A Target shopper was shocked when a checkout error made them pay 70% more for an item .

The only Target in a bustling city is closing, leaving customers nowhere to shop .