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”
Why not just have cashiers there to make prices are correct and bag your own groceries? You also need carts near if going to have check out yourselves as there is never enough room for groceries your checking out on the counter and then putting in your cart. Then getting checked out after your exiting the store again??????
Well go ahead and do but then you aren’t going to have customers because you cut out jobs so now no one has money to buy from you and if every store does this no one has money to purchase items.
I am one of those that will change stores to shop at. We have a store few miles away that is all about service. No self checkouts. I bet Walmart will have more merchandise loss than what it would cost to have checkout clerks
Forget self checkouts. People need jobs otherwise there will be too much welfare. I hate self checkout.
Actually, a Lowes store in Bonney Lake WA already does this, on a daily basis, and it starts at 7pm. Yup. At 7pm there are no cashier’s at the cash registers. It is self checkout only. There is a person at customer service for pickup service or returns. But general cashiers… Nope.
I will say, I don’t mind self checkout, but I want it to be a choice, not a requirement.
You trust me to check out, then treat us. Like thieves at the door, no thanks
If I wanted to ring myself out I would apply for a job which I am not this puts too many people out of work
When Walmart has no checkers I will shop elsewhere! Will not and do not like self check this is poor poor poor customer service! !
i agree it takes longer and it doesnt save me anything
I agree 100%! I do not like self checkout and prefer to pay with a written check and not plastic. I will shop elsewhere if they have no checkers.
Self check 1st off is taking jobs away; many people are not computer savvy not just senior citizen; CEO’s and company are earning billions in profits, what are faithful shoppers getting in return for self check out?? Discount?? Personally I do not shop at stores that have only self checkout. Also, communication is being lost in the process.
Everywhere people say they hate shopping at walmart ! I agree with them ! It was a pleasure before .
Don’t mind using self service if I just have a few items that all have bar codes. But produce, etc. does not. Any store that does not have cashiers will see me walk out, leaving basket behind.