Technology

Retailers expanding self checkout despite challenges

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December 13, 2022

Retailers are expanding the use of self checkout despite some shortcomings, according to a CNN report. The companies are looking to provide labor savings, meet customer demand and are encouraged by improved technology.

Self-checkout, which debuted in the late 1980s at supermarkets, has spread to mass merchants, discount apparel stores and department stores.

Kohl's has tested it, H&M has introduced and will add it to 30 stores while Bed Bath & Beyond has added it to several locations.

The number of cashiers is expected to fall by 10% over the next decade, partly due to self-checkout, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nonetheless, retailers acknowledge there have been some issues with self checkout.

A survey of 1,000 shoppers last year found 67% experienced a failure at a self-checkout lane, and errors are common, resulting in TikTok videos of customers complaining of "unexpected item" alerts.

Customers also make errors scanning barcodes and sometimes steal items at unstaffed self-checkout areas.