Connect with us

CBS News

Target is pulling back on self-checkout, limiting service to people with fewer than 10 items

Avatar

Published

on


Target launches new self-checkout policy limiting purchases to 10 items


Target launches new self-checkout policy limiting purchases to 10 items

00:34

Target is pulling back on what’s become a ubiquitous and often speedier way for customers to pay for their purchases in stores. 

The retailer on Thursday said it’s making changes to a key part of the buying process — the checkout line. Customers who choose self-checkout will be limited to 10 items, Target said. Otherwise, they’ll have to purchase their items via a human cashier before leaving stores. 

Target’s “Express Self-Checkout” lanes will hit stores on Sunday at most of its 2,000 locations. The change comes after the company piloted the program at 200 stores last fall, with the company noting that self-checkout was twice as fast at those locations.

Target and other retailers invested heavily in self-checkout options during the pandemic to limit human interaction and mitigate the spread of the virus as well as to save on labor costs. However, some studies have found that self-checkout enables more customer theft. 

For instance, a 2023 LendingTree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers found that 15% of self-checkout users purposely stole goods. Forty-four percent of self-checkout thieves also said they would do it again. 

Some customers are also souring on self-checkout, with a recent study from Drexel University finding that shoppers feel more loyal to a store and are more likely to revisit if they check out with a human cashier. And self-checkout could pose a financial risk to customers, with reports of credit card skimmers installed in retailers’ self-checkout lanes, such as at several supermarkets in Massachusetts.

Why is Target limiting self-checkout to 10 items?

Target said its impetus for limiting the number of items at self-checkout counters was to improve the customer experience by speeding up the process. 

The retailer will also open more employee-staffed checkout lanes for customers with more than 10 items to help speed up the checkout process overall. Store managers will designate self-checkout lanes’ hours based on foot traffic patterns, Target added. 

Other retailers also appear to have cooled on self-checkout after doubling down on it during the pandemic. 

While Walmart hasn’t made any public announcements, some shoppers report on social media that the self-checkout lines at their local stores have been closed. Walmart did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch’s request for comment. 





Read the original article

Leave your vote

CBS News

12/22: CBS Weekend News – CBS News

Avatar

Published

on


12/22: CBS Weekend News – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Holiday travel rush peaks on Sunday; What it’s like to live on California’s “Christmas Tree Lane”

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

12/22/2024: The Pager Plot; The Iron River; Joy to the World

Avatar

Published

on


12/22/2024: The Pager Plot; The Iron River; Joy to the World – CBS News


Watch CBS News



First, a report on how Israel’s pagers fooled Hezbollah. Then, a look at Mexico’s legal battle against the U.S. gun industry. And, Samara Joy: The 60 Minutes Interview

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

12/22 : The Takeout: Rep. Jamie Raskin

Avatar

Published

on


12/22 : The Takeout: Rep. Jamie Raskin – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin joins “The Takeout” with lawmakers facing a government shutdown deadline. Raskin discusses Elon Musk’s increasing influence in Washington, and President-elect Donald Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders around the world. He also looks at where Democrats went wrong in the 2024 election, and how they need to better communicate key issues to voters.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.