‘Jesus fix it,’ fumes Walmart shopper after another store makes self-checkout change claiming old way was ‘way faster’ | 1MND9K5 | 2024-04-30 17:08:01
'Jesus fix it,' fumes Walmart shopper after another store makes self-checkout change claiming old way was 'way faster' | 1MND9K5 | 2024-04-30 17:08:01
SELF-CHECKOUT has undergone another change at big box retailer Walmart, and shoppers have been quick to blast the store online.
More locations have altered the shopping experience for in-store customers, leaving them to call for the return of the now-gone kiosks.
Walmart announced earlier this month it would be swapping self-checkout for traditional checkout lanes in two US locations.
Stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri – which is about 10 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis – and Cleveland, Ohio have ditched the machines in favor of cashiers.
These changes come after Walmart removed self-checkout at several Albuquerque, New Mexico stores last October.
Shoppers are not taking easily to the changes, voicing their discontent on social media.
One customer complained about the lack of efficiency at their local Walmarts after the imposed changes.
"They have closed up the self-checkout at my local Wal-Marts (three locations) but only have 2-3 checkout lines open at a time and still have someone blocking you at the exit until they check your receipt against your bags. Jesus fix it!" they wrote on Facebook.
Another user was afraid that more locations would take up the change.
"Hopefully they'll keep most of them. Self-check is way faster than waiting in line behind three or four full grocery carts," they commented.
WHY THE CHANGE?
Walmart's decision to ditch the cashier-less lanes was based on several factors.
Associate and customer feedback, shopping patterns, and business needs all played a role according to Walmart spokesperson Brian Little.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> "We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service," he said.
He added that the move is part of Walmart's "announced plans for additional investments and improvements to stores across the country."
Although the retailer claimed improving customer experience was the reason it moved away from self-checkout, a major factor in the decision was rampant shoplifting, which cost the store billions per year.
The retailer lost an estimated $3 billion due to theft in 2021.
This number jumped to $6.1 billion in 2022, then $6.5 billion last year.
Around half of these losses are due to customers stealing from self-checkout.
Considering that the machines have resulted in over $100 billion in losses for retailers, stores like Target and Dollar General have followed suit and reduced their reliance on self-checkout.
</div> </div> Last month, Target announced it would limit shoppers to 10 items or less at all 2,000 US locations, switching regular self-checkout for express self-checkout.
Also in March, Dollar General ruled that it would remove self-checkout from 300 stores with high theft rates.
In related news, Walmart announces a major "right-size" change and shoppers will see the difference on certain items with less "waste."
Also, Walmart is set to close another location after six shutterings, laying off over 100 employees.
More >> https://ift.tt/3lK2IZV Source: MAG NEWS
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