Furious shoppers are threatening to abandon their shopping carts as self-checkout changes continue to roll out at stores like Walmart and Costco.
New Limits on Self-Checkout Purchases
A proposed New York anti-theft law could soon force stores to limit shoppers to buying no more than 15 items at self-checkout stations. This change is part of a broader effort to combat retail theft, which costs the industry an estimated $100 billion annually.
Shoppers are upset by the new limits, with one customer sharing her frustration about changes at her local Walmart. She said the store had limited all self-checkouts to 12 items or fewer, which led to longer lines. “The Walmart near me changed all self-checkouts to 12 or less express. So you’re forced to go to a regular checkout lane, but shocker, there’s only 2 open and the lines wrap through aisles,” she wrote.
Customer Reactions and Discontent
Many customers have expressed their anger, with some calling out stores for poor staffing. One shopper posted, “I’m sick and tired of stores with 30 checkout lanes and one employee working.” Another proposed leaving a full cart behind as a way to pressure stores to reconsider the new policies.
Proposed Law and Its Impact
The New York City Council introduced the law to tackle retail theft. If passed, supermarkets and pharmacies in the city would be required to limit purchases at self-checkouts to 15 items.
Additionally, the law would mandate that stores hire more staff to monitor the self-checkout areas. Specifically, one staff member would be required for every three active self-checkout registers.
Retailers who fail to comply with the new rules could face daily fines of at least $100.
Supporters of the New Policy
Democrat Councilwoman Amanda Farias has defended the item limit, stating that it’s necessary to “maintain safety, accountability, and fairness in the checkout process.”
Other retailers, like Target, have already started implementing similar measures. After testing a 10-item limit in around 200 stores in 2023, Target is rolling out a nationwide limit in 2024.
