Aug 05, 2022
Three reasons why Walmart & others US stores will keep self-checkout – but theft prevention trick still annoys customers
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THERE are at least three reasons shoppers will still see self-checkout kiosks in Walmart and other U.S. stores, despite an annoying theft prevention trick.
Amongst the commonly irritating automatic voice responses that you get during self-checkout, a recent survey reveals that 67% of shoppers have an unsuccessful experience, per CNN.
1Walmart and other stores have decided to keep self-checkout for a few key reasons despite disapproval from consumersCredit: GettyEven with the countless memes and TikTok videos that have been created because of this, stores like Walmart will still be keeping their self-checkout areas around for key reasons.
1. It reduces store labor costsThe origination of self-service and self-checkout processes originates back in the early 1900s with grocery stores like Piggly Wiggly.
It was designed first and foremost to take the work off of the employees and transfer it to the customers, CNN reports.
Back then, they were the first to sort of let their customers have a self-serving experience, gathering all of their groceries on their own and coming to pay at the counter.
Read More On Grocery StoresTASTY DEAL Costco healthy food deals are HALF the price you'd pay at the grocery storePRICE CHECK I'm an Aldi superfan - I feed my family of six for just $5.18 and you can tooThe deal was the more self-serving the experience, the lower prices Piggly Wiggly could offer their customers.
However, it wouldn't be until the late 1980s that an article from the Miami Herald confirmed that self-checkout processes would drastically reduce store labor costs.
Although the first self-checkout was said to be revolutionary back then, the customer response remained mixed, which is why Walmart didn't take part in it until the early 2000s.
Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia explained that self-checkouts were never about the customer, per CNN.
Most read in US NewsCODE RED China 'convinced it needs to hit US with Pearl Harbor-style strike' over Taiwan'EXTREME DANGER' Police alert over mom who vanished with husband and his 2 young kidsUP IN FLAMES Infant & pregnant woman among 5 dead in fiery crash with 8 others hospitalized'BARGAINING CHIP' Brittney Griner's guilty verdict may spark mini-Cold War, experts warn"The rationale was economics based, and not focused on the customer. From the get-go, customers detested them."
2. It's perceived as fasterAside from economically beneficial reasons for stores like Walmart, they are also keeping self-checkout around because it is perceived as a faster process by customers.
Although this may sometimes be true, it oftentimes isn't, and the only reason it feels faster is that the customer is doing the work, according to CNN.
Shoppers are often in a rush or impatient, so the appeal of self-checkout leads them to believe that they can get everything paid for and bagged faster.
3. It's a point of competition between storesNot to mention, it has become a competition point between stores, as some such as Costco who had previously removed them are now re-installing to keep up with the competition.
Former Dollar General executive David D'Arezzo says, "It's an arms race. If everyone else is doing it, you look like an idiot if you don't have it."
Not to mention, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many consumers reached for self-checkout to avoid contact with cashiers.
Then, it was almost a no-brainer to install the machines for safety reasons and competition against other stores.
However, self-checkout still has terrible theft measures that leave stores vulnerable to intentional and unintentional stealing.
To combat this, many have installed additional security features like weight sensors, per CNN.
Read More on The US SunBEAUTY QUEEN MYSTERY JonBenét Ramsey cops urged to re-test DNA on 3 key pieces of evidencePICKERS' DREAM Inside American Pickers star Robbie's $225K store featuring vintage carsHowever, that has only left consumers annoyed once again as it usually leads to needing employee assistance.
The future of self-checkout still seems to be progressing even with plenty of customer disapproval.
News Source: the-sun.com
Tags: tiktok walmart costco dollar general the covid 19 pandemic costco shopping advice walmart stores like walmart walmart and other self checkout their customers grocery stores not to mention other stores read perceived the customer self serving why walmart key reasons
Search For Person In Water Along Morrissey Boulevard In Dorchester Underway (DEVELOPING)
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Boil Water Advisory Issued For Parts Of Montgomery County Due To Water Main Break
A Boil Water Advisory has been issued in the Montgomery County area after a water main break, officials say.
WSSC Water issued the advisory after a break on a 12-inch pipe that runs along MacArthur Boulevard in the Cabin John/Glen Echo area, Thursday, Aug. 11.
The advisory will affect around 2,200 customers in the affected area.
Officials suggest that customers should bring their water to a rolling boil for one full minute before cooling it.
Officials are urging customers to practice this before utilizing water for the following activities:
- Drinking
- Brushing Teeth
- Washing produce/food
- Preparing Baby Food/Formula
- Making Ice
- Filling Pet Water
All stored water that had been previously collected should be thrown out, WSSC Water says.
Water does not have to be boiled before bathing as long as it is not consumed.
Water samples will continue to be tested to ensure water safety.
Check the WSSC Water website, Twitter (@WSSCWaterNews) and Facebook for updates as this situation develops. For more information, please contact the WSSC Water Emergency Call Center at 301-206-4002.
Click here for more information, including a map of the impacted area.