A WALMART shopper has received word from an employee that their local store would soon implement a new self-checkout policy.
Many shoppers were disappointed with the news and suspected the change would take a financial hit to the retailer.
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A Walmart shopper from Plattsburgh, New York - around 20 miles south of the Canadian border - shared the impending self-checkout change to a local Facebook group in a post from June 30.
"Just an FYI to everyone," he began. "I went shopping at Walmart yesterday and one of the awesome employees informed me that starting next week self-checkout is going to be 15 items or less."
The shopper blamed shoplifters, who have stolen around $3 billion from Walmart self-checkout in 2023 alone, per Investor Place.
Other local Walmart shoppers confirmed the change, noting they were either told by an employee or overheard another shopper being informed of the policy.
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Many were not looking forward to the new rule, calling it "unbelievable" and begged the retailer to open more cashier lanes to compensate for the item limit.
"They better get more cashiers at the front registers then. Ones with some ambition and personality. It's no wonder I go there as little as possible! It's a s**t hole!" said one customer.
"Better open up some lanes there or they will lose a ton of business," agreed a second shopper.
Another Walmart customer threatened to shop elsewhere because of the new policy.
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"Since they don't want to put any actual people at the registers, that's telling me that they don't want customers to buy more than fifteen items at a time." they began.
"I guess I will do the bulk of my grocery shopping elsewhere since Walmart doesn't want me to shop there anymore."
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Others planned on using Walmart's Scan & Go, which permits customers to scan their items on their phone as they shop and pay at a self-checkout kiosk, as a loophole to the policy.
SELF-CHECKOUT RULES
In 2022, Walmart tested express self-checkout in around 200 stores with a limit of 10 items or fewer.
However, the policy was not implemented in all Walmart stores across the US.
On the other hand, rival retailer Target has rolled out a self-checkout item limit of 10 items or less.
The policy was first tested at select locations and then in March, implemented at all 2,000 of its locations nationwide.
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.
After soaring levels of theft, Walmart followed Target's lead and enacted its 15 items or less self-checkout rule at select locations.
One shopper on Reddit shared three months ago that their local Walmart had begun implementing the 15-item limit.
A Redditor noted that many Walmarts had started enacting the rule.
They clarified that the limit was enforced by managers rather than the kiosks, meaning the self-checkout registers won't prevent customers from scanning more than 15 items.
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In related news, a retail expert shared how Walmart maintains its position as the world’s largest retailer.
Plus, a Walmart+ member was "disgusted" after an order policy failed four times.
