Will Walmart self-checkouts disappear? Here’s what you should know
Walmart customers have reported seeing closed self-checkout kiosks in some stores. Here’s what you should know about the future of this mode of payment.
Self-checkout counters were first installed in supermarkets to help speed up and facilitate the purchasing process for customers. However, this payment method has been changing.
Several customers of retail stores such as Walmart and Target have recently reported that self-checkout registers in their branches are closed or are intended only for certain customers, such as those who have some type of membership like Walmart Plus.
“This is the second time this week I’ve been to Walmart, and this is a different Walmart, and it’s been just this time, and all their self-checkout lanes are closed and they’ve started opening up the regular lines again,” a TikTok user shared.
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Will Walmart self-checkouts disappear?
Walmart senior manager for corporate communications Kelsey Bohl told TODAY that “customers at certain Walmart locations may notice changes in self-checkout lanes.”
According to Bohl, Walmart stores often adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts as needed. In addition, she said that during times of limited access, some locations may designate self-checkout lanes only for Walmart+ customers and Spark drivers for faster access and deliveries.
She said that the decision aims to manage the availability of payment counters better.
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Bohl also explained that the decision to close checkouts or limit the hours they are available is at the discretion of individual store managers.
The spokesperson acknowledged that theft and loss of items are problems within the retail industry, but clarified that decisions about closing self-checkouts at certain times or making them exclusive are made for a variety of reasons.
Walmart has not issued a company-wide policy on how to manage self-checkout, but instead allows managers to experiment with what works at their particular store.
Target changes its self-checkout method
Target has already changed its policy on using the self-checkout counter. The retailer is limiting the use of these express kiosks in all of its stores to customers purchasing up to 10 items. The retailer has rolled out its self-checkout lanes effective Sunday, March 17 in most of its nearly 2,000 stores throughout the US.