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 don’t like self check out unless I have only a couple of items. Don’t get any discount for doing it myself plus taking away jobs
Most Walmarts I’ve been in only have one or two cashiers open with the self checkouts open at either end. And there are a couple people working there — they aren’t completely automated, because sometimes things go wrong, and sometimes things need approval. So I don’t see much of a change here. At any given time it’s maybe one or two fewer people up front.
Absolutely a smart move. You can make any new change as difficult and negative as you wish. When I first used the self checkout, I had to get help. Walmart has people who have large families, who are subsidized. They may go to store maybe once or twice a week. I always got behind someone who bought a dump truck load in a pickup cart. This will get you motivated to learn how to self checkout.Â
The only thing I wish would happen, is that all self checkout machine be standardized.
Dont mind the self check out for a few things but not a cart full.Paying more for our grocerys then doing a cashiers job for free.Sam Walton started these stores to give jobs and help people,think he would turn over in his grave if he new how they treat people today.
I love ßelf checkout and I am a senior!
Gas Stations have been doing it for years.
You don’t have to lift to fill a tank of gas! Self checkout you are lifting ea item a second time. They raise prices than we to an employees work. No thanks. Also they malfunction then you stand and wait foe an employee….happens Very often to many at same time at Kroger. With only one employee to fix everyone’s machine. Been there several times happening!
It would nice having both options for checkout.
I would rather them switch to the Sam’s Club way and let me checkout/pay with my phone. I still remember an AT&T commercial years ago about being able to check out a whole grocery cart at once…this is the answer. Scan as you put items in your cart and hit pay at the end and walk out. Never a line except at the exit while an employee does a sample scan and quick glance for high-priced items to verify. Still a quicker line with multiple employees doing the check.
You can do that with a Walmart Plus subscription. I think it’s 100 dollars a year and one of the benefits is mobile scan. Exactly like your said, use your phone to scan as you shop. When done, scan a QR code at a register and you’re done.
There is one.. it’s called Walmart + plus. It’s a scan n go . Scan items as you shop then You have to go through self check and use walmart pay when exiting. A cashier will scan 3 items to insure you’ve paid
I like the self checkout to me it’s a lot faster
The Bible for told that at a time society would become a cash less society.
I do not use self checkout anywhere.