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”
I despise the self check outs. You’re taking away another job. They’re nice for a few items, but other than that, they’re a pain in the rear. I usually shop for a months worth of items. I’ll be damned if I’m going to self-check all of that by myself!!!
They should keep some open for people that prefer them over self check out ..
the self checkouts do not have enough room and the bags are hard to fill, but if they used different bag other than their small plastic ones sure would help
If I have to check myself out, then I should get a 10 or 20 percentage off of my total bill. I don’t go to the store to check and bag my own stuff. You should have a choice of both and have more than one cashier. Because of self check outs I shop Amazon or Sam Clubs now. I can shop from home and get things delivered to my home.
You need to have both cashiers, and self check out. so if u have a problem then and are not sure of how to do the different items then u can go to a Cashier to check out.
Much rather have a person  to check me out
Both
I think they should have both. I use cashier check outs most of the time. If I get a big order I don’t want to have to bag all of it.
Keep the choice, both
I feel the need of both still because there’s days I would prefer to go to the cashier and socialize with them and times where I just want to get something quick. BUT in the state of California, purchasing Alcohol is prohibited through self checkout and the moment the holiday season hits guess what’s gonna happen. .. how will the California Walmarts gonna have to deal with customers buying their booze in one go but can’t when the only available lanes are self checkouts? And again getting rid of a check lane is killing a bit of the job market.