Over the past two years, several major U.S. retailers have started pulling back on self-checkout systems. Once celebrated for speed and convenience, self-checkouts are now under scrutiny due to theft, fraud, and poor customer experience.
Walmart
Walmart has been gradually rolling back self-checkout lanes in several locations. For example, in stores across New Mexico, Washington, Missouri, and Ohio, the company has removed self-checkouts and reinstated staffed registers.
The primary reasons cited are increased shrinkage (losses due to theft or errors) and customer frustration with malfunctioning machines. Walmart has also introduced “express lanes” in some areas to serve certain groups. Reducing access to self-checkouts for the general public.
Dollar General
Dollar General is one of the most aggressive retailers pulling back on self-checkout. In 2024, the company removed self-checkout entirely from 12,000 stores, primarily in high-theft markets. CEO Todd Vasos confirmed that in some locations, every single self-checkout register was replaced by staffed counters.
Plus, many other locations have reduced self-checkout hours or turned the kiosks into “assisted checkouts” only.
ALDI
ALDI introduced self-checkout options in most of its locations. However, it has already pulled back or suspended further rollout in many of its locations. In cities like Chicago and Philadelphia, customers noted that self-checkout was removed just months after launch. Staff shortages and a focus on quick cashier-operated lanes were cited as contributing reasons.
Schnucks
This Midwestern grocery chain removed self-checkout from at least four St. Louis area stores in 2023. In some stores, the company has introduced a policy that individuals with only 15 items or fewer can self-check out.
While the company hasn’t completely ruled out this process, it confirmed that in some communities, staffed lanes better aligned with customer needs and helped reduce loss.
CVS Pharmacy
CVS has begun scaling back self-checkout at select urban locations, including in New York City and Chicago. A company spokesperson mentioned that theft and safety concerns were among the primary drivers. In some stores, employees now stand near self-checkouts to assist or monitor transactions.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle has taken a hybrid approach, reducing the number of self-checkout units in some Ohio and Pennsylvania stores while keeping them open in others. The company is also testing AI-powered monitoring systems to address fraud concerns before scaling self-checkout further.
Kroger
While not company-wide, some Kroger locations in Dallas have halted self-checkout lanes and replaced them with express-staffed counters. Reports indicate that this adjustment was driven by high theft rates and lower-than-expected customer satisfaction scores related to machine errors.
Walgreens
Similar to CVS, Walgreens has paused self-checkout kiosks in many stores and removed them from some previously piloted locations. Theft and misuse have pushed the chain to rely on more staffed checkouts, particularly in high-shrinkage regions like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Target
Target has implemented a new policy that limits self-checkout to customers with 10 items or fewer in hundreds of stores nationwide. It includes locations in New York, Minnesota, and California. The change was made after widespread reports of long lines, misuse of the kiosks, and higher incidents of theft. In stores where the policy has taken effect, Target also reopened more traditional checkout lanes with staff.
ShopRite
Several ShopRite locations, particularly in New Jersey and Connecticut, have shut down self-checkout lanes permanently. One major operator, Village Super Market Inc., cited a steep rise in losses and said that machines simply weren’t worth the hassle. Customers in affected stores now rely entirely on traditional cashier lanes.
Meijer
Midwestern retailer Meijer has not eliminated self-checkout systemwide, but in high-theft areas, it has installed gates and extra monitoring at kiosks. Some stores have reduced the number of self-checkout lanes or restricted hours of operations to better control loss.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s has introduced stricter oversight of self-checkout, including frequent ID checks and employee verification before exit. In some high-traffic stores, management has decided to disable self-checkout during peak hours to avoid crowding and scanning issues.
Costco
Costco has not eliminated self-checkout, but has significantly increased oversight and is testing new technology like scan-and-go. In 2023, the company began assigning employees to closely monitor self-checkout areas and require membership card verification. This change came after a spike in non-member use and mis-scanning incidents.
Weis Market
This Pennsylvania-based chain has been quietly phasing out self-checkout kiosks in smaller and suburban locations. The company has cited costs and feedback that older customers prefer traditional checkout. Company reps confirmed in early 2024 that they are re-evaluating whether to continue with the machines at all. It decided to keep the kiosks in some of the locations with heavy monitoring.
