Technology

Walmart reverses course on self-checkout in some stores

Photo: Jammy Jean - stock.adobe.com

July 3, 2025

Walmart has begun removing self-checkout machines from some stores, including a Supercenter in Shrewsbury, Missouri, following a significant increase in police calls related to theft, according to a Yahoo! News report.

The decision comes after local law enforcement data revealed a dramatic decrease in incidents once the self-checkout kiosks were removed.

At the Shrewsbury location, the Shrewsbury Police Department reported a drop from 509 calls between January and May of last year to 183 calls during the same period this year, after the machines were gone. Arrests also fell by more than half. "That's a huge change. We really appreciate Walmart taking initiative and removing those self-checkers," Police Chief Lisa Vargas told the news outlet.

In March a Gettysburg man was arrested and charged with allegedly placing skimming devices on self-checkout registers at Walmart stores in Gettysburg and Lower Allen Township, Pennsylvania, according to a Fox 43 report.

The move reflects a growing reevaluation within the retail industry regarding self-checkout technology, which, despite initial hopes for labor savings, has led to increased losses for some companies due to customer errors and theft. Walmart is reportedly reconsidering its wider strategy, although it is also testing "Scan & Go" technology at Sam's Club locations as an alternative.