WIDE OF THE TARGET
‘I’d rather shop at Walmart,’ says Target customer as checkout hurdle means a ’10-minute wait to buy one extra item’
Other chains have rolled out similar self-checkout policies
A TARGET shopper has blasted the chain over its self-checkout policy that has been rolled out across its network of stores.
The bemused customer even said they would prefer to wait in lines at Walmart.
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Target chiefs rolled out its express self-checkout lane concept at a select number of stores in a bid to improve customers’ in-store experiences.
A spokesperson previously told The U.S. Sun that the policy was being trialed to cut wait times and understand guest preferences.
This concept has been rolled out across the country and signs inform customers about the policy change.
But despite bosses intentions, it hasn’t been welcomed by all shoppers.
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One shopper urged the company to open more traditional checkout lanes if they insist on enforcing the 10-item limit at self-checkout stations.
“I’d rather shop at Walmart than wait 10+ min with 11 items because of your strict enforcement policy,” they posted on X.
Shoppers have even claimed that they were shouted at by workers over the items in their carts or baskets when they approached self-service machines.
One self-checkout user fumed she had 13 items in her cart when she was apparently scolded.
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She shared a copy of her receipt on Facebook and the basket of goods included typical groceries such as lettuce and yogurt.
“I had small items that took me two seconds to scan,” she said.
‘Literally no need,’ says Walmart shopper as checkout feature makes receipt checks useless – workers are ‘on power trip’
The shopper admitted that she had no idea only 10 items or fewer could be scanned at the self-service kiosks.
The policy has sparked so much outrage that it’s led to shoppers threatening to boycott the retailer.
Meanwhile, others have said they’ve abandoned their carts during a shopping trip.
Target is not the only retailer that has rolled out measures when it comes to the number of items that a customer can scan at the self-checkout.
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.
ShopRite customers moaned that they couldn’t scan more than 20 items at the self-checkout.
They even suggested a strategy that could help them bypass the measure.
The U.S. Sun reported how a ShopRite customer was forced to count the items in her cart to prove that she hadn’t exceeded the item limit.
Schnucks self-checkout users also complained that they were prevented from scanning more than 10 items.
The policy came into force on February 1.
When the policy was introduced, chain bosses said it was designed to improve efficiency while combatting theft.
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"When self-checkouts were first introduced, they were intended for smaller orders,” a spokesperson told Progressive Grocer.
"Over time, larger orders began moving through self-checkouts, and we are hoping to address that concern."
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