‘You’ll find me at Kroger,’ rages Walmart shopper after facing self-checkout barrier – there was no warning
A WALMART shopper is taking their business elsewhere after a frustrating experience using self-checkout.
For months, the major retailer has been lambasted by shoppers over changes to its self-checkout operations that Walmart claims are to help streamline the checkout process.
GettyWalmart shoppers are threatening to shop elsewhere due to checkout changes[/caption]
GettyOne shopper claimed the self-checkout was limited to only 20 items, but says she wasn’t warned[/caption]
However, many customers have taken to social media criticizing the changes, accusing them of making it more difficult to get out of the store in a timely manner.
Often these changes have impacted where shoppers can use self-checkout machines as well as wait times to pay for their items.
Specifically, some Walmart locations across the country have begun to limit access to self-checkout lanes.
Instead of being open to all shoppers, some stores are now reserving a select number of machines for Walmart Plus subscribers and Spark Delivery drivers.
Additionally, some major retailers like Target have launched new express self-checkout lanes.
These lanes limited the number of items shoppers can pay for at once – restricting them to 10 items or less at the time.
By March 2024, the measure was expanded across 2,000 locations.
Other Walmart location have also been seen limiting the hours that self-checkout machines are open for shoppers, forcing customers to pay for their items in a manned checkout lane.
As a result, shoppers have claimed they have had to wait in longer lines to get out of the store.
Walmart has defended these changes, recently claiming they are aimed at making the checkout experience “better” for shoppers.
“From time to time, our stores adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts,” a spokesperson told Fox affiliate KTVI.
“For example, a store might start or end the day with staffed checkouts.
“As the number of shoppers and associate staffing increases, these stores open self-checkout registers to manage the increased customer flow. This process isn’t new.
“During these times of limited access, some stores are designating select self-checkout stations for Walmart+ customers using our Scan and Go service and Spark drivers for quicker access and delivery services.
“This decision is intended to manage checkout availability better.”
Despite this, some have said the changes have gotten so bad, they no longer want to shop at Walmart.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
One shopper recently took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying that very thing after she claimed she wasn’t warned of any changes.
“@Walmart Flowood Mississippi, was told self checkout was for 20 items or less, no sign, no commercials,” the shopper wrote.
“So you’ll find me at Krogers.”
The shopper is not alone in their frustrations, as some customers have admitted leaving their carts in the store due to limited self-checkout access.
Meanwhile, others have accused the company of looking to increase Walmart+ memberships for customers to regain full self-checkout access.
Walmart did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
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