Self-checkouts are nothing new, they have been around for a couple of years now. You can find them in grocery stores, hardware stores, even McDonald’s has the option to use a self-checkout instead of a traditional cashier. A Walmart store is starting to switch to a self-checkout store only.
via shutterstock
Walmart Self-Checkout
Fayetteville, Arkansas is doing a new test for its Walmart. They will only be having self-checkouts at their store, no cashiers. This is a new experiment for them to see what works better.
If all goes well and the test is successful, then Walmart will do the same thing in more locations and across the country.
While they did not have a set date in place for these to take effect, it could happen sooner rather than later. These new decisions will also depend on many different things.
One factor is feedback from their employees as well as the customers. The main concern is Walmart just wants to do things that are easiest for both their employees and their customers.
Why the Change
Some people wonder why the need for a change and if it will help employees or just make things worse.
One of the main reasons for this change is self-checkout is very cost-efficient. Having a customer do the same work you would normally pay an employee does save the company a lot of money.
One report found that checking someone into their flight at the airport with a cashier costs around $3 dollars. If the customer checks themselves in, it only costs about 14 cents, which is a significant difference.
Another positive is the privacy that customers get when they buy things. If someone gets a personal item or something they might be embarrassed to get, having the self-checkout allows them to keep their purchases private.
Negatives of Self-Checkouts
A lot of customers actually are against self-checkouts. They feel that they are doing all the work and not getting paid for it.
Others find the machine to be difficult to use and cause more problems and takes up more time. Especially the older people who don’t use technology too often may have more problems with the self-checkouts than others.
Oftentimes customers have to ask the employees for help, which is basically like having a cashier anyway. With there being only one or two employees around to help a dozen or more self-checkout stations, it could end up taking more time on customers to get the things they need.
One other negative is that it does put workers out of a job. With the way the economy is going, we need more jobs open for people to live in this world.
With the way things are going, Walmart may be the first to change out cashiers for a self-checkout only system. Which way do you prefer?
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377 comments on “Walmart Store Switches to Self-Checkout Only”
If they do ill change store without hesitation. The day I walk up and no one to cash me out, I’ll leave my overflowing cart at the register and walk out.
I think it’s a bad idea, to go with self checkout all together. Employees want more money, then work for it. Not just stand around and when a person needs help you can’t find any help.
Good bye Walmart plenty of other grocery stores in the area. Not a good move with Target opening soon in our area just down the road, actually closer.
What about all the Sterling? The customer won’t be able to buy all the stuff. That you have to be old enough. What about this?
The negatives listed in the article are all correct.
Self checkout is a cheep way to have customers do the work and there are always problems….Who wants to stand behind a person checking out with half of the store in their basket? NO!! Walmart does this and they have lost another customer!!!
Nope I like self checkout Only
I was recently asked for my receipt after using self checkout. I told them I’d already done it. If you don’t trust the customer keep the cashiers. Also, I don’t get paid to check out myself.
Then you wonder why the unemployment rate is so high . Ridiculous !!! Just another way to put people out of jobs ! Make some of the corporate jobs robotic & put them out of jobs !!!!
I am a older person and do not want to check myself out. I have left my cart and walked out before do not know how to use them and don’t have the energy or patience to learn how.sorry
Ate we as customers going to get a w-2 and a employee discount on what we buy. No thank you I hate self check out.
Don’t have to worry about an employee discount. The five finger discount gets you a better deal. Wal-Mart is closing 12 stores in high crime areas already.
I read one the internet some where down south. They are getting rid of the Self Checkout and bringing back the people for the Customer Service. Would be a really the only way for you to keep your customers.
I am not enthused to hear about self check out. It is okay for people, who know how to operate the check out. Older customers are going to have a hard time doing it. I think that you should leave both self & other registers, with a cashier.
This is wrong! why are we buying from a store who makes us check ourselves out when we are supporting them? I will shop somewhere else
I will stop shopping at Walmart.
I don’t use self checkout so I guess I won’t shop at Walmart any longer! You are taking away much needed jobs for people and I am not looking for one so leave cashing out to someone who gets paid to do it!!
I refuse to use self check out. I don’t work there. I will just shop somewhere else. I think you’ll will loose alot of shoppers doing this. I want even mention the stealing that will be going on.
If I am checking myself out then I should get a discount!! If I wanted to be a checkout person I would get a job doing that! Walmart will lose me as a constant customer. Enough said……
It is harder for a person with a disability to do ALL the work. If that is the case, I would find a store in which cashiers do the work. As it is, they have gone to having your own bags, and you bag your stuff 🙁
I hate self check out! I am. 83 and taking care of a handicapped husband. I am tired. I cannot wait in line too long because I am exhausted. I am not that computer savy. I ordered online and got double orders.I just want to pat my money and go home!
I use to work for Walmart. Yes I have used self checkout , but a full cart I want a cashier. Walmart was built on CUSTOMER SERVICE and seems like all you are doing is getting further away from that. Mr. Walton is turning over in his grave. You can barley find anybody for help anymore. What ever happened to the 10ft rule, cross training in other departments etc. that was Walmart’s foundation ? When I worked at walmart we were trained for almost every department as well as a cashier. You need to seriously get back to CUSTOMER SERVICE or you’re going to loose a lot of business !!!! People need jobs more so now than ever before and not continually being replaced by technology or machines !!!! So go back to the roots of Walmart’s founder and that would be CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!!
Yes and amen!!! I’m a former employee of Walmart. I hate shopping there. My Father was a friend of Mr. Walton who cared about customer service and the value of family. Today it’s all about the money. I prefer avoiding Walmart, not worth it.