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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375 comments on “Walmart Store Switches to Self-Checkout Only”
Good self check is faster
Im a long time retail worker and i cant say as if I didnt see this coming. I personally hate self check out for that reason. They are working on making everything e commerse. Fred meyers has been talking about getting rid of meat cutters also, send everything in already cut. You already see more and more of it! Dont buy it folks. What is america going to do when weve allowed big retail and a million other places to faze humans out all together with the already millions of people outta work i have to say way to go walmart! Patriotism at it finest. Then you have them and fred meyers already running stores and sept short handed so they can make money hand over fist. When they say hiring event, we will get you people, hr goes on vacation. Hahaha ok rant over
depends on how much you have. i shop for a month at a time, it is not faster to self check with that much. my daughter likes to when she has her own money….she thinks it’s fun–for now.
I feel there should be both. When people have a full cart load of groceries they don’t want to scan everything and bag, most self check outs don’t have room for that, if you have a child with you it gets distracting trying to watch your child and use the self check out. Plus like everyone else has said it isn’t any faster if you need to call for help. Self checkout is only good if you have a few items in my opinion.
I agree
I agree there should be both. As a mom to more than one child it is hard enough taking the items out of the cart and keeping a watch on yr child as well. It’s nice to use a cashier.
I agree 100%
If this happens no more Walmart I don’t work for them and I don’t intend on checking myself out I refuse to do so. When I’m in the store I do not go to self check out. I’ll leave everything there if I can’t get a person to check me out.
I want the choice. Sometimes I’m in a hurry and do self check out, other time I use a person because, normally I write checks. Pandemic time not as much.
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I feel you should have both. There is people in this world who can’t do self checkout. I personally do both. I have a lot of family who can’t use self checkout. I vote both.
Keep the people self checkouts don’t GREAT the people I like see a human with a smile
Wait… your cashiers smile?
Mine do! I absolutely believe you get back what you give out.
will Not be shopping at walmart,,,obviously my business does not mean anythoing to them. I will not do their work and not be paid.
At this rate, Walmart will be losing a lot of business including mine. If I am not paid or getting any discounts for their cheap China made junk and have to check out and bag my own low-quality items because they have run out all of the local owned establishments because of the “convenience” of their locations, I will be driving a lot further to get the things that I need. This also goes toward this “cashless” system that many stores seem to be gearing towards as well. If you don’t want my cash, you don’t want my business!
I will stop shopping at Walmart if they implement that in Burley Idaho
I wont do self checkout when I come and buy lots of groceries if this does happen I will no longer shop at walmart. I cant believe u would even consider this, and the people u would put out of work. I really like shopping at walmart but if this happens, I wont come anymore.
For a few items self checkout is okay. Weekly grocery shopping no way
I would check out my own order if it would give me a25% discount. Otherwise I would not shop Walmart
I have to use a motorized scooter to shop due to medical problems. I CAN walk a step or 2, but standing, twisting and turning to get things from the basket, scan them then bag themis going to be a long slow painful process. I will be doing very business at Walmart if this change comes here. And the damn machines don’t work half the time either. Not my circus, not my monkeys. Did anyone ever heat “the customer is always right”?????
Absolutely. Positively hate self checkout. Will always shop at a store with humans when I can. Walmart will have less people on the payroll but prices will not go down.
We already shop less and less at walmart ,theyhave no variety, no customer service, the workersfilling on line orders will completely block wholeisles or wont move their carts so you can get somthing ,and god forbid you need an associate for anything,you will die of old age before you get any help. And why do u have to go 50 feet down the side walk just to come all the way back and go in the door beside the people that are coming out, makes no sence at all. And whos stupid idea was it to close one entrence? As a handicapped person i can tell u walmart does not have adiquit slots. A d now u have made half the slots useless. Great job.
I think Walmart is making a big mistake. They are worried about losing their big profit margin and putting many people out of work. Shame on them. I hope people begin to boycott Walmart. Would serve them right. No body thinks about the American people any more. Just the almighty dollar padding the pockets of the ceo,s.
I have NEVER and do not plan to use your self check out machines. I am a retired Kroger clerk … and I knew the day would come when this would happen that most checkers would not be needed. I discouraged the use of the machine as much as I could … telling people checkers would be obsolete in time… why can no one see … it is one thing closer to lining up like sheep and letting someone tell us what we will HAVE to do next. No more shopping walmart at all for me if this happens!! I haven’t shopped walmart since masks are required, they want correct change, and who knows what is next. It may be convenient for many of you … and faster than standing in line … but that will cease when everyone is using them, especially with huge orders. Come on people ,can you not see this is one more area that they are starting to be in control of…. DON’T shop where are no checkers, no cash, no one to help you when you need it. It will soon be like trying to talk to a live person on the phone.. Doesn’t happen!!
I am very disappointed in Walmart ownership and the reason is the fact that it breaks my heart that many thousands of employees will be unemployed at a time when our country is going through a pandemic for God’s sake! I am sure the Walmart Store owners are not facing unemployment, hardships of foreclosure, vehicle repossession, loss of medical coverage , pension, and the dignity of proudly supporting their family. How heartless can people be when they lose empathy for the pain they inflict upon others! What happened to the gratitude for the hard working employees who helped make the company a success? How important is buying a new airplane, making more money through the stock market, etc.? As we were born, so will we return to the Earth. We will not take money or riches with us to meet our Lord. Our Lord will ask how you treated people and his children and not how much money you made. I will no longer shop in your stores because I disagree with your decision to lay off decent employees. In any event I wish your family health and happiness.
Any company that makes the switch to all self checkout will lose my business. That includes Walmart. I am still discontented over the forced self service at gas stations. Not everyone is able to do the work that a cashier does. Not everyone is able to self serve at a gas station, and not everyone is able to even load their groceries into a car. Not to mention the minus factor of employment, or customer service. This is wrong on so many levels.
self checkout is nice when u have a few items. So, if this was my choice and I had a buggy full of things I needed to purchase, I would stop somewhere else. Plus it’s hard enough trying to put just a few items in the area of a self checkout, I can only imagine a buggy full of items. Not to mention the elderly that may need help.
I don’t mind self-checkouts; however, I don’t want people to lose their jobs.