Walmart ‘rethinks’ after grocery store scraps self-checkout entirely – and thieves told ‘it’s over’ thanks to new device

SELF-CHECKOUTS are on the way out thanks to sobering theft statistics and a new device tackling shoplifting.

Walmart is thought to be about to follow in the footsteps of British supermarket chain Booths which has axed self-checkout kiosks.

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According to The Grocer, the company will ditch self-checkouts from all but two of its supermarkets following a survey of decreased customer satisfaction due to the machines.

“We pride ourselves on great customer service and you can’t do that through a robot,” Booths managing director Nigel Murray told the outlet.

Now retailers like Walmart are “rethinking self-checkout,” according to a CNN report.

The big-box retailer has already completely removed self-checkout kiosks from three stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

While improved customer service may be a key factor at Booths, the motive for Walmart could be increasing levels of theft.

“While we don’t discuss details related to illegal activity in our stores, we’re continually exploring effective ways to protect merchandise, keep prices low, and provide a safe environment for the millions of customers we serve weekly,” a Walmart spokesperson told Insider.

A study from 2016 found that companies with self-checkout kiosks suffered a loss of 4% of their merchandise, the New York Times reported.

It is expected that this number is now higher after retailers reported $112.1 billion in losses this year, up from $93.9 billion in 2021, according to the 2023 National Retail Security Survey.

While thieves will take advantage of self-checkouts by scanning all items and not paying, or scanning false barcodes, two criminologists suggested that the checkouts tempt even the most honest shoppers.

According to The New York Times, two criminologists noted that the technology “helps turn law-abiding shoppers into petty thieves by giving them ‘ready-made excuses’ to take merchandise.”

“Retailers could find themselves accused of making theft so easy that some customers who would normally — and happily — pay are tempted to commit crime, especially when they feel ‘justified’ in doing it,” the researchers said in the study.

A new device set to be trialed at an unknown major supermarket is set to see the removal of locked-up merchandise which has been introduced to tackle retail theft but frustrating shoppers.

David Ashforth who runs vending machine company Digital Media Vending International said his innovative prototype is ready to go and take over supermarkets.

He told NBC Bay Area of the 26.5-foot wide vending machine for a whole aisle which his team has called the “Automated Retailer.”

Honest shoppers would pay in advance online or at an in-store kiosk for the desired product.

They would then be given a receipt or pick-up code to be entered into the machine which would retrieve the ordered item and deliver it to the shopper.

“It’s over,” Ashforth told thieves as he noted the huge interest from major retailers with some even being curious about getting smash and bullet-proof glass.

“This technology is coming to stores near you,” Ashforth said.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/9631297/walmart-rethinks-self-checkout-thieves-warned-its-over/