{"id":48286,"date":"2025-07-11T19:41:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/2025\/07\/11\/target-joins-retailers-in-scaling-back-self-checkout-whats-behind-the-shift\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T19:41:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:41:22","slug":"target-joins-retailers-in-scaling-back-self-checkout-whats-behind-the-shift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/2025\/07\/11\/target-joins-retailers-in-scaling-back-self-checkout-whats-behind-the-shift\/","title":{"rendered":"Target Joins Retailers in Scaling Back Self-Checkout: What\u2019s Behind the Shift?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Article Originally Published Here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

New Self-Checkout Policy Limits Transactions to 10 Items or Fewer<\/h2>\n

Target has officially limited the use of its self-checkout kiosks to purchases of 10 items or fewer, a move that\u2019s stirring debate among customers and industry experts alike. While the company maintains that the policy was driven by internal studies aimed at improving customer satisfaction, many observers believe there\u2019s more to the story.<\/p>\n

The retail giant told Fox News Digital that the decision wasn\u2019t sudden or reactionary. In fact, Target says the policy has been in development for over a year and was shaped by pilot testing that revealed faster checkout times and improved shopper experiences. However, some industry analysts are linking the change to a growing concern among retailers: rising shrink, or loss of inventory due to theft and errors.<\/p>\n

READ: Fighting the Rising National Threat of Organized Retail Crime<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Shrink Losses Mounting Across the Industry<\/h2>\n

Despite Target\u2019s official stance, experts argue that self-checkout systems have become a hotspot for retail theft. The company reported nearly $500 million in losses from shrink in 2023 alone, an alarming figure that highlights the challenges large retailers face in protecting their inventory.<\/p>\n

The issue of theft at self-checkouts isn\u2019t new. In one headline-making case, a California woman was convicted of stealing over $60,000 in merchandise during a series of over 100 visits to Target stores, exploiting self-checkout kiosks by scanning only some items and bypassing payment for the rest.<\/p>\n

Neil Saunders, a retail analyst with GlobalData, told CBS News that self-checkout zones are particularly vulnerable. \u201cIt is an area of the store people can steal things,\u201d Saunders said, adding that scaling back these systems is a way for stores to mitigate losses.<\/p>\n

Customers React: Mixed Feelings and Frustration<\/h2>\n

The change has sparked backlash from some shoppers, especially on social media. A photo posted by a Reddit user showed a gaping space where self-checkout machines once stood, prompting comments from users frustrated by longer lines and fewer options.<\/p>\n

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, \u201cTarget is turning into Walmart. Sixteen lanes. One cashier. Mile-long line for self-checkout. Why?!\u201d<\/p>\n

Many customers have come to prefer the autonomy and speed of self-checkout, viewing it as a more efficient alternative to traditional lanes. As one Reddit user put it: \u201cThat\u2019s a shame. I hate having to go through a manned register. I prefer self-checkout every time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, others acknowledge the challenges that retailers face. The balancing act between convenience and security is proving to be increasingly difficult in today\u2019s retail environment.<\/p>\n

A Wider Trend: Retailers Rethink Self-Checkout Strategies<\/h2>\n

Target is not alone in reassessing its approach to self-service lanes. Several major retailers are revising or reversing their self-checkout policies due to similar concerns.<\/p>\n

Walmart, for instance, has removed self-checkout machines from select stores in Missouri and Ohio. The company cited feedback from both customers and employees as the reason behind the decision, saying the goal is to improve the overall shopping experience by returning to staffed checkout lanes.<\/p>\n

Dollar General is also scaling back. In April, the chain announced it would eliminate self-checkout entirely at 300 locations with the highest rates of theft. Other stores will limit usage to just five items per transaction.<\/p>\n

Even Five Below is moving away from self-checkout almost completely. In a 2024 earnings call, CEO Joel Anderson\u2014who has since stepped down\u2014said the company would be transitioning most stores to associate-assisted checkouts, especially in areas with frequent theft. The chain is also increasing staff presence, adding receipt checks, and boosting in-store security measures.<\/p>\n

Retail Theft on the Rise<\/h2>\n

The broader trend comes amid concerning statistics about retail crime. According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. retailers lost an estimated $112.1 billion due to shrink in 2022. In cities like New York, shoplifting has surged, with a 64% increase in reports between 2019 and 2023, based on figures from the Council on Criminal Justice.<\/p>\n

Experts say the growth of online resale platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace has created fertile ground for the resale of stolen merchandise. These digital marketplaces, alongside under-regulated pawn shops, have contributed to a thriving underground economy that supports organized retail theft.<\/p>\n

From Pandemic Convenience to Post-Pandemic Reality<\/h2>\n

Self-checkout kiosks became immensely popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as shoppers looked for contactless ways to shop. But with public health concerns easing, retailers are taking a closer look at how these systems affect operational efficiency and security.<\/p>\n

Many businesses now appear to be prioritizing inventory protection over the convenience of self-service, especially as theft continues to eat into profit margins.<\/p>\n

While Target insists its self-checkout policy is focused on customer service improvements, the timing of the change\u2014and the wider industry context\u2014suggests that loss prevention may also be playing a significant role.<\/p>\n

The post Target Joins Retailers in Scaling Back Self-Checkout: What\u2019s Behind the Shift?<\/a> appeared first on Security Guard Services Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

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Article Originally Published Here New Self-Checkout Policy Limits Transactions to 10 Items or Fewer Target has officially limited the use of its self-checkout kiosks to purchases of 10 items or fewer, a move that\u2019s stirring debate among customers and industry experts alike. While the company maintains that the policy was driven by internal studies aimed at improving customer satisfaction, many observers believe there\u2019s more to the story. The retail giant told Fox News Digital that the decision wasn\u2019t sudden or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security-guard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.excelmedias.com\/Security\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}