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 hate self-checkout. if they go all self-checkout i will have to go somewhere else to shop. I am 78 years old and I don’t know how to do the product and I shouldn’t have to do all that work plus bag myself.
Have self checkout for 10 item or less; cashiers for all the rest.Â
How do you stop underage people from buying alcohol?
I do feel like, if I have to check myself out, then I need a 3% deduction in my final total. If they do self check only and no rebate, then I will shop elsewhere.
or shop on line only.
Both
I only use self checkout if I have one or two items and the lines are horrendous. I am NOT receiving a paycheck from Wal- Mart and will not do the job I of their cashiers. If our local Wal-Marts go to self checkout only, I will no longer shop at Wal-Mart.
A lot of people will use Drive thru pickup or not shop there at all ! You will rarely if ever seems bagging my own groceries! N
Most self checkout don’t accept cash
I’ve done self checkout a Walmart. I quit going to that one, because the plastic bags were pretty much stuck shut, I could not put my items in the bags, whilst the computerized lady voice kept telling me to bag my items. Dang it
At 71, I have no desire to use machines cause me work. I definately will be shopping elsewhere.
That’s just another reason I quit going to Wal Mart. If we’re doing self checkouts we should pay less.
Combination of both
There is use for both kiosks and live cashiers
Compnay should have both
If they lower prices I might be for it otherwise, No.
Both.
Self checkout could be for 20 items or less but still have cashiers.  There will be a lot of people that can’t do self checkout.
Excellent points! Time is the most valuable commodity of all.
I prefer cashiers. Sometimes it’s just awkward to run items through… need two people & I shop alone. Then what about weighing produce, etc.? Then bagging things as you’re taking them out of the cart, that’s where two people are needed.
In your article you mention self checkouts have been around for a couple years now, as a point of fact, K Matt was using self check outs in the mid 2000s. Â Granted the units lacked the advanced video capabilities, but the check out system used today is the same that they were using some 15 years ago!
have both, if I have a few items, self check out is a plus, no need to waste time standing in a long line with large buggies, But if I have a full buggy, I want full service, that is when things go wrong and prefer someone is there to handle the bigger orders for that reason, plus self checkout cannot handle the larger bag volume, not enough room to put the full bags before paying.
If I wanted to self check I would, but I DONT, I’ll stop shopping there.I have already cut back cause they are trying to cram their brand on me and I want name brands on some things.