ABC News reports that Target is expanding on its test of a self-checkout policy that restricts those lanes to people buying 10 items or fewer. last year it tested the approach in 200 stores, and found that “self-checkout was twice as fast at those test stores.”
Now, Target said it is “rolling out Express Self-Checkout with limits of 10 items or fewer at most of our nearly 2,000 stores nationwide.”
At the same time, Target said, it is “opening more traditional lanes staffed by employees members across all stores for those who have more items or simply need a helping hand.”
Meanwhile, The Street reports that Walmart has decided to test restricting use of self-checkout in some stores to people who are members of Walmart+ and delivery drivers using its Spark mobile app.
According to the story, the benefits “include exclusivity and perks of membership, speed, and convenience when shopping.”
KC’s View:
I’m a dedicated self-checkout user, but I don’t really have a problem with either move.
When I’ve been in stores with that 10-items-or-fewer restriction, I find it a little frustrating, but as long as the staffed lanes are plentiful and not too crowded, it isn’t a big deal. And I think that, to use the old American Express slogan, membership has privileges – if Walmart wants to make self-checkout more exclusive, it is an interesting approach, though it has to be rigorous about enforcement.
I think that the Target approach is likely to be more sustainable than Walmart’s, but both approaches are worth testing and rolling out.
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