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 feel that if they are gonna be self check only.. then we should recieve the discount to do cashiers jobs.. also there are something like wic. That you can’t use self check out for. Also if the item rings up wrong we aren’t able to adjust it. I understand the need to save money. But customers need to save money too. Plus when you go to leave people want to see your receipt… you want us to do the cashiers job and save the company money.. then you need to trust the customer to ring up the items… I refuse and will not prove I paid for items. When I’m doing their job for them. Long story short… bring people back to ring out customers. Having only 1 or 2 isn’t helpful. You have to stand and wait in line 30 minutes.. even self check out is a wait too.
Keep the cashiers! It is a shame that customers have to do the work that it would be so much easier and quicker for the cashiers to be doing!
You’ve reported savings to Walmart but customers do the work, what will their savings be?
I was totally against self checkout when it first came about. But after standing in line for one of the two cashiers I finally caved. I’m fine with checking myself out, I always give myself 5 stars. But there should be some perk for doing so. I am doing a service for this company! I am saving them money! Where’s my incentive??
Putting all their employees out of a job should reduce prices too. I personally hate sf check out. There is never enough room to put everything
I do not think it’s a good idea, there are old people who do not get technology, special needs people who need help, never mind putting people out of work! It’s like everyone is trying for no human contact at all, it’s terrible! Just leave it the way it is now!
My mom is elderly and has no idea how to use self checkout. I myself do not mind self checkout if I only have a few items but if I have a whole cart No, I want a cashier! And if you’re not going to supply cashiers then the public deserves a discount for bagging and ringing their own groceries!
There are so many disabled people who shop there now. What are they going to do? If people have to check out and load their own groceries, the prices on everything ought to come down bigtime, pronto !!
I’m 81 years old and I love self checkout
Why should I have to stand in line for 15 or twenty minutes to wait for a cashier to ring me up. The only objection I have is at least have all the self checks open that way you can hire more cashiers.
I will stop shopping there. Not crazy about them anyway…but…this will do it for me. I can go on line and buy if I want no “human” contact. Sad country we are living in anymore.