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?
Leave a Review!
We LOVE hearing from you! Submit your question or comment here.
Your email address will not be published.
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.
Have both. I know in our store we could have more self check and regular check out. Just have extra staff for the self check out. Think it has to do with your location. We don’t use all our check out lanes so turn those lanes over. Then those who stand around put them on a lane where hey can’t leave. I work for customer service and want to train for csm. Or transfer to appear. I love my job. But we need to do something else.
I had my first experience today with a Walmart store that eliminated all of the regular check out except for two. I had a cart full of groceries with produce and I have no desire to use a self check out. I was furious. It takes twice as long to do self check out and if you have produce it takes even longer. I asked the employees how many people have lost their jobs and they said none so far. But believe you me there will be Employees to lose their jobs. There is no customer service anymore. I think the problem is you have a lot of young people in corporate who have no experience in life I don’t have large families and have no idea what it’s like to check out a cart full of groceries. It is especially difficult for people who are older. Just another sign of an uncaring world.
My husband refuses to use self checkout. He feels that people are losing their jobs and the company now has us to do their work. People wake up why are you allowing this to happen. If everyone stands up and refuses to do the work they will bring cashiers back. I will leave a full cart of groceries if I have to use self checkout. Someone better open up a lane. Goodbye Walmart.
I am elderly and the cashiers are a very big part of my shopping experience. Seeing and speaking with them is also very good for my mental health. I do not work for walmart and will not use self-checkout.
Have both
I believe you should have both. I have seen the back up of self checkout .
If Walmart can save that amount by self checking, the prices in their store should go down. Self checkout for the soul purpose of the bottom line, no thank you. I will shop elsewhere.
Businesses are in it to make money. Many years ago when I started working in a factory it was one person and one machine to work. Some years later it was one person and five to six more automated machines to work walking in circles to feed them. The company saved not only the pay but all the insurances by having only one employee. Airports use mostly kiosk machines. Robotics is the future. There are some stores where there aren’t any humans. We may not like it but the future brings changes.
Keep the cashiers with a few self checkouts.
I agree
When they do away with cashiers I will be done with Walmart. I will not take a job from someone so Walmart can keep that person’s wages in their pockets. I do not get a check from them and will not do another person’s job in order to spend my money.
I’ve gone through self checkout at Walmart. When I have a problem I usually have to hunt for an employee to help me or wait because they are busy.
I want to have the option. Our older people shouldn’t have to check themselves out.
I will not use self checkouts unless of coarse they pay me to or give me a discount on my purchas. It’s ridiculous of a store to to put some one out of work and then expect their customer to pick up the work of that employee for free. Like seriously are they crazy! The day that my walmart switches to self check out only, is the last day I shop there. I have left a full cart of items near a cashier at walmart because they would not add a cashier but offered to help me with the self checkout.