Walmart confirms all self-checkout lanes to be yanked at store after policy change met fierce shopper backlash
A WALMART location has confirmed it's getting rid of the self-checkout lanes after shoppers raged over a controversial policy change.
The store in Shrewsbury, Missouri - a suburb of St. Louis - announced on Friday that it would start the process of getting rid of the self-checkout machines on Sunday.
Brian Little, the Global Communications Director for Walmart Corporate Affairs, told NBC affiliate KDSK-TV that the decision was made to improve the in-store experience.
"The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns, and business needs in this area," he said.
"We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service."
The self-checkout lanes will be replaced with "associate-staffed checkouts," said Little.
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The transition will take about two weeks and the news comes as other retailers in St. Louis have also made changes to their checkout process.
Schnucks, a local supermarket chain, announced earlier this year that it would limit the number of items a person could purchase at self-checkout lanes.
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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.
The number was limited to 10 items or fewer, however, the move drew criticism from shoppers who said it created longer lines.
Walmart has faced a lot of flack over its use of self-checkout machines.
Some stores have taken action to combat theft by implementing receipt checks and locking up items, along with limiting who can use self-checkout.
Shoppers shared online that certain Walmart stores have reserved self-checkout lanes for Walmart+ or Spark Drivers.
However, this was been misinterpreted as the retailer forcing shoppers to pay the $98 annual Walmart+ subscription fee to use self-checkout.
Walmart has constantly denied this, saying the change wasn't made to increase subscriptions.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.