Shoppers in California might soon find that a quick trip to the grocery store isn’t as easy as it used to be.
Significant changes could be on the horizon for self-checkout options in Santa Ana, with tighter regulations aiming to address theft and maintain jobs. Supporters believe these measures will enhance security, while some critics argue they could raise prices and make shopping more complex.
The new proposal mandates that grocery stores and pharmacies have at least one employee supervising every three active self-checkout kiosks. Furthermore, customers would be restricted to scanning a maximum of 15 items at these kiosks.
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved the initial reading of this ordinance on Tuesday.
This rule extends to other retail locations, including CVS and Walgreens.
Proponents claim it will boost safety and improve customer service in an era where automation is increasingly prevalent, and it may also aid unions in preserving jobs.
According to Santa Ana City Councilman Jonathan Hernandez, “Automating union jobs is paralyzing the economy.” He emphasized the importance of supporting collective worker efforts during discussions.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua shared her frustration, mentioning she’s cut back on shopping at certain places that predominantly use self-checkout. “When you need help, you have to wait,” she expressed.
Union representatives have also highlighted concerns about employees being responsible for monitoring multiple kiosks, which could lead to safety risks and additional opportunities for theft.
On the other hand, grocery industry advocates are strongly against the changes, arguing that these regulations may lead to higher costs for both stores and consumers.
A representative from the California Grocers Association voiced concerns about potential shifts to online shopping due to these changes.
Brian Gildenberg, a retail consultant, noted that such regulations could inadvertently favor online giants like Amazon.
Another aspect of the proposal would empower both customers and employees to take legal action against stores for noncompliance, which could result in fines of up to $1,000 per employee each day.
Santa Ana is now set to join Long Beach and Costa Mesa as the third city in Southern California to enforce staffing requirements at self-checkout lanes, with Anaheim also contemplating similar measures.
However, the ordinance still needs a final reading before being enacted into law.
