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KROGER shoppers are fed up with extended waiting periods to check out as they blame the retailer for making one key staffing error.
As automated payment operations like self-checkout machines have risen in popularity, major retailers have often relied less on manned cash registers.
Kroger shoppers are blasting the retailer over self-checkout issues[/caption]
Self-checkout machines were launched to help speed up the payment process in stores[/caption]
However, shoppers say it can take longer due to delays and lack of staff to help with faulty machines[/caption]
Self-checkout systems were launched with the idea that it would speed up the payment process, allowing shoppers to get out of the store faster than they would waiting for an employee to scan all their items.
As major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target adopted these systems, shoppers have noticed that fewer manned cash registers have been open.
This reliance on self-checkouts has caused frustration among customers, particularly those who miss the interaction with store employees.
Criticism of the retailers’ use of self-checkout machines has risen in recent months, particularly as retailers have changed their policies around the payment systems.
At Walmart for example, shoppers were shocked to discover that some self-checkout lanes would be closed off to regular customers and only available to Walmart+ members.
Target also has launched express self-checkout lanes that limit shoppers to purchasing only items at a time.
This has been expanded to thousands of stores across the country.
Others have blasted stores for failing to properly staff enough employees to assist with malfunctioning machines.
One shopper recently shared their frustrations on X, targeting their ire at Kroger.
“Really, @kroger: are you trying to go out of business?” the shopper said on Wednesday.
“A holiday eve and there is one human to help navigate the seven faulty self checkouts.
“(Which isn’t enough.)”
Kroger has roughly 1,240 locations across the country and operates thousands of other stores under its umbrella company including Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Pick’n Save, and Ralphs.
A second shopper revealed in a responding post that not only are the customers forced to wait in long-lines to scan their own items at the grocery store, they are required to wait in another line before leaving the building.
“As of last week we wait in line to self-scan, then we wait in line to show our receipt before leaving the store,” the shopper said.
“It’s pathetic.”
In recent years, retailers have enacted additional security measures like receipt checks, bag checks, and locking products on shelves to combat rampant theft.
While the companies have defended the policies as a last resort to stop crime, they have been met with much criticism from shoppers.
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.
For those sick of self-checkout issues, one shopper recommended a strategy to force stores to staff manned cash registers.
“You gotta form a line at a human checkout and stand your ground until they adapt,” the shopper wrote on X.
“Armed security will ask you if you need help and you just calmly say you’re waiting for them to staff the store.
“They figure it out.”
Kroger has listened to customer concerns about self-checkout machines in the past, and in January brought back manned checkouts in one store that had been self-checkout only for three years.
“We listened closely to customer feedback and made the decision to convert back to hosting staffed checkout lanes at this store,” John Votava, Kroger spokesman, said at the time.
Kroger did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
