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?
[ratemypost]
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”
If your tax exempt you cat do self check out!
Since i learned self checkout i like it because i like to bag my own stuff and not put frozen with paper stuff and other items like cashiers do. Some are not friendly or courteous at all!! I like cash only though and right now all self checkouts are cards and i am not happy! Right now with covid if u check ur own stuff out you have less exposure. Its a lot faster to!
You can always bag your own stuff with a cashier. We don’t mind!
When I have a full basket, it helps to have a cashier. Any time I have just a few items, I don’t mind. Just curious about alcohol sales. Will you have a special cashier for these items?
I prefer both. I actually like the human contact . My husband prefers self checkout. I think if I had to do my “big” shopping with the little amount of bagging space I would go somewhere else.
Would also not like to see fewer jobs! I have also benefited from a cashier noticing that I had picked up a damaged item that I in my hurry had not noticed. I like the friendliness and the service I receive at Publix the best.
If I have a couple items I will self check out
If I’m grocery shopping I prefer to use the cashier
I don’t mind using the self checkout, if I only have a handful of items and there are lines of people waiting at the full service registers. But, if I have a huge cart full of items, I refuse to use the self checkout. There is not enough room on the belt for everything, much less in the bagging area.
I like both cashiers a d self- Checkout but is still nice to have cashiers around
Isn’t self-checkout what you do ordering online?
I like self checkout it’s quicker and easier.
I love self checkout but dont want to see people put out of work. Updates have to be done. You cant do wic at self checkouts.