Walmart Removes Self-Checkout Machines from Two More Stores to Improve Shopping Experience and Reduce Theft

Walmart is removing self-checkout machines from two more stores, one in St. Louis, Missouri, and one in Cleveland, Ohio, in an effort to improve the in-store shopping experience and reduce theft. This move follows similar decisions by other major retailers like Target, Dollar General, and FiveBelow, who have also scaled back or eliminated self-checkout options in some of their stores.

Walmart stated that the decision to remove self-checkout is aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers and addressing issues related to theft and loss prevention. The company believes this change will provide more personalized and efficient service from their associates. "The decision was based on feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns, and business needs," a Walmart spokesperson said.

Studies have shown that shoppers are 21 times more likely to shoplift at self-checkout machines compared to human-staffed checkouts, leading to significant 'shrink' or unaccounted inventory. Retailers are adapting their self-checkout strategies to address issues like long checkout times and theft.

While Walmart has self-checkout kiosks across its nearly 5,000 U.S. stores, it has no plans to make such reductions on a nationwide scale. The company previously removed self-checkout machines from three stores in New Mexico last year for similar reasons.

Why this matters: The removal of self-checkout machines by major retailers highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the industry in balancing customer convenience with loss prevention. As retailers continue to adapt their strategies, it remains to be seen how this trend will impact the overall shopping experience and the future of self-checkout technology.

Customers have mostly responded positively to the removal of self-checkout, with some saying they felt like they were working for Walmart when using it. The goal is to reduce losses from theft and provide a better overall shopping experience for customers. Walmart says the change will allow associates to provide more personalized and efficient service to shoppers in these locations.

Key Takeaways

• Walmart removes self-checkout from 2 stores to improve shopping experience, reduce theft.
• Other major retailers like Target, Dollar General also scaling back self-checkout options.
• Studies show shoppers 21x more likely to shoplift at self-checkout vs. human-staffed checkouts.
• Walmart has no plans for nationwide self-checkout removal, previously removed from 3 NM stores.
• Customers respond positively to self-checkout removal, allowing for more personalized service.