Walmart announced it will remove self-checkout counters at two additional stores. One of those stores is one where retail theft has gotten so bad that shoppers are now “afraid” to go there at all.
The Arkansas-based retail giant did not address the issue of theft at its retail stores, saying, “As part of a broader effort to improve in-store environments, we are closing our Cleveland store and another in Shrewsbury, Missouri. We will eliminate self-checkout lanes at our stores.” Shopping experience in store. ”
Shoppers who frequent the Walmart in Cleveland’s Steelyard Commons area criticized the move, saying paying for items in the regular checkout lanes has been the norm in several incidents at the retailer. He said that means they can’t get in and out of stores quickly. theft.
“I’ll probably end up going to another Walmart because I don’t want to wait here.” Leah Burchnell told WEWS-TV.
“Especially with all the crime that’s happening here. It’s so scary. It really is.”
Another shopper, Corey Sheneman, told the news station he doesn’t think removing the self-checkout lanes will improve the shopping experience.
“Last week, a guy was being taped for stealing a jacket and we were standing in the doorway and his pockets were stuffed with everything he could grab. I was like, ‘Wow.’ I thought,” Sheneman said.
Last year, Walmart removed self-checkout options from three stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A Walmart spokesperson said the company took this action after listening to feedback from employees and customers and considering local shopping patterns and business needs.
“As part of our announced plans for additional investment and improvements to our facilities across the country, we have made the decision to remove self-checkout lanes in some locations and replace them with staffed lanes,” said Brian K. Little. . told Supermarket News.
“We believe this change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the opportunity to provide more personalized and efficient service,” Little said.
The newspaper has contacted Walmart for comment.
Last year, Walmart employees complained that enforcement of self-checkout counters led to “hostile” encounters with shoppers.
The large chain store – one of many retailers battling a rise in theft that is hurting profits – is equipping employees with mobile devices that track purchases at self-checkout lines, Business Insider reports. It became clear.
But employees claim they weren’t properly trained to deal with sticky-fingered shoppers, many of whom threw things at shoppers and didn’t scan all purchases. It is said that they become aggressive when confronted with something.
Last month, Dollar General announced it would permanently remove self-checkout systems from 300 of its stores, where shoplifting and mis-scanned items are common.
The company said it made the changes to reduce “shrink,” an industry term for product loss due to theft, damaged goods or mismanagement.
Dollar General announced it will convert some self-checkout counters to regular checkout counters at 9,000 other stores.
Target has announced that it will limit the number of items shoppers can purchase at self-checkout.
The Post has reached out to Dollar General and Target for comment.
