Walmart Is looking to remove all cashiers from stores, going fully self checkout (2024)

FAQs

Are they getting rid of self-checkouts at Walmart? ›

Not according to the store, but some fear changes are already being implemented at some outlets. Business Insider reports some stores are reducing the number of self-checkout lanes, leaving them for Walmart+ members and Spark delivery service drivers.

The retailer joins Target, Dollar General and other chains in recalibrating its reliance on self-service and rethinking the checkout experience.

Self-checkouts cause some people to lose their jobs, but most cashiers who are replaced by self-checkout are simply offered a position doing something else. The cashier position is one of many roles available in a supermarket, and cashiers are often asked to perform other types of customer assistance instead.

Lazarus ended his 2022 column by saying, “The thing is, many consumers don't like self-checkout”. It's true. Many don't like it. And now based on crime trends, many stores may be rethinking it.

Walmart store in Missouri removes self-checkout kiosks, replacing with 'traditional' lanes.

They have found that self-checkout leads to higher merchandise losses from customer errors, and more intentional shoplifting than when human cashiers are ringing up customers.

A major concern about self checkout for both consumers and business owners is the lack of human contact. Both Consumer Reports and NCR Corp. found that customers enjoyed the speed but the lack of human interaction was a problem.

Customers enjoy the convenience of being able to shop without waiting in line, which leads to better customer satisfaction levels. In addition, self-checkouts are intuitive and easy to use, making them perfect for those who want a quick and hassle-free shopping experience.

Automated checkout machines and self-service kiosks have already started to replace human cashiers in many retail stores and fast-food restaurants.

Booths, a British supermarket chain, said it's removing self-checkout stations in all but two of its 28 stores. In the United States, Walmart, Costco, Wegmans and other chains have also revised their self-checkout strategies.

Will cashiers exist in the future? ›

BLS estimates that some 336,000 cashier jobs will no longer be necessary by 2030 due to a combination of technology and automation in the form of self-checkout and online commerce.

Self-checkout increased in popularity among retailers and customers during the pandemic, allowing shoppers to limit their contact with others and helping to relieve a labor shortage that made staffing registers more difficult.

Over $13 billion is lost annually from theft via self-checkout lanes across the retail industry. Self-checkouts increase shrinkage for retailers by an average rate of about 4%, compared to 1.47% at regular checkouts. About 21% of supermarket customers admit to stealing at least once at the self-checkout.

Some big box stores are removing self-checkout machines, saying they weren't the right fit for their staff or customers. Companies say theft and technical issues have caused problems with the automated lanes.

The retail corporation announced Thursday via press release that it would switch its regular self-checkout to express self-checkout. The new concept would be reserved for customers with 10 items or fewer. A Target store stands in Manhattan on March 05, 2024 in New York City.

Dollar General is the latest retailer to curb the use of self-checkout in its stores.

The retailer is converting self-checkout registers to assisted-checkout options in some stores, limiting the number of items allowed in self-checkout in other stores, and removing the self-checkout option altogether in the stores with highest shrink.