General scaling back of self-checkouts
Posted: August 2nd, 2024, 11:18 am
It appears that many large retailers are scaling back self-checkouts to some extent.
I have some local observations:
Walmart: Most of the time two banks of self-checkouts are closed with only a few immediately next to the regular registers are available. Nearly all of the few remaining traditional registers are open, but lines are long again and there is no "express lane" of any type clearly marked.
Fred Meyer: Two banks of self-checkouts on the grocery side are usually closed, with one bank open, which, in addition to 4 standard self-checkouts, has two lanes with belts that will randomly reverse and claim you didn't scan something, and are awkward to use. Usually only one or two of the 5 or 6 regular registers open with very long lines. Interestingly, the GM side has been self-checkout only for a few years (basically since the last remodel) and lines are MUCH shorter on that end of the store. There are 2 or 3 regular registers on the GM side but I have only seen them in use once since the remodel. This location used to have a reasonably staffed front end.
Safeway: No comment since I usually do not shop there. Last time I went through self-checkout at a time the store was not busy.
Target: All self-checkouts open, two marked "card only" with about 2 or 3 regular registers open. Lines usually are not long compared to Walmart & Fred Meyer.
WinCo: All self-checkouts open, with about 2 or 3 regular registers open most of the time. Half of self-checkouts are debit card only. Regular checkout lines get very long at times. (Some WinCo locations are completely removing self-checkouts in the Portland area)
Lowe's: They bank heavily on self-checkout and usually have one regular register open, sometimes two. Lumber end at least has a staffed register which was not always the case.
Home Depot: Basically the same as Lowe's.
Costco: I have seen them adding self-checkout but people are reluctant to use them for large orders, and I still see many using the regular registers. Sometimes with nobody at the open self-checkouts.
Basically the chains that invested heavily in self-checkouts seem to be backtracking with the exception of the home improvement chains.
I have some local observations:
Walmart: Most of the time two banks of self-checkouts are closed with only a few immediately next to the regular registers are available. Nearly all of the few remaining traditional registers are open, but lines are long again and there is no "express lane" of any type clearly marked.
Fred Meyer: Two banks of self-checkouts on the grocery side are usually closed, with one bank open, which, in addition to 4 standard self-checkouts, has two lanes with belts that will randomly reverse and claim you didn't scan something, and are awkward to use. Usually only one or two of the 5 or 6 regular registers open with very long lines. Interestingly, the GM side has been self-checkout only for a few years (basically since the last remodel) and lines are MUCH shorter on that end of the store. There are 2 or 3 regular registers on the GM side but I have only seen them in use once since the remodel. This location used to have a reasonably staffed front end.
Safeway: No comment since I usually do not shop there. Last time I went through self-checkout at a time the store was not busy.
Target: All self-checkouts open, two marked "card only" with about 2 or 3 regular registers open. Lines usually are not long compared to Walmart & Fred Meyer.
WinCo: All self-checkouts open, with about 2 or 3 regular registers open most of the time. Half of self-checkouts are debit card only. Regular checkout lines get very long at times. (Some WinCo locations are completely removing self-checkouts in the Portland area)
Lowe's: They bank heavily on self-checkout and usually have one regular register open, sometimes two. Lumber end at least has a staffed register which was not always the case.
Home Depot: Basically the same as Lowe's.
Costco: I have seen them adding self-checkout but people are reluctant to use them for large orders, and I still see many using the regular registers. Sometimes with nobody at the open self-checkouts.
Basically the chains that invested heavily in self-checkouts seem to be backtracking with the exception of the home improvement chains.
