Consumers criticize the retailer for the frustrating payment process.
Walmart customers said they are considering shopping elsewhere to avoid the drama at the self-checkout line.
“This is why I no longer shop at Walmart here in Crookston,” one shopper wrote on Facebook.
The consumer said that during his last visit to Walmart, only one of the retailer’s checkout lanes was open and there were at least 15 people in the self-checkout line.
“I had a shopping cart full of groceries and other things,” he said. “Of course, I left my cart at one of the closed checkouts and when I left the store, there was at least $200 worth of groceries in it.”
Several consumers agreed in the comments.
One Facebook user said he only shops at Walmart as a last resort.
According to Forbes, fewer people shop in brick-and-mortar stores every year.
To stay ahead, companies focus on creating and maintaining an online presence.
Forbes reported that retailers were hesitant to invest more money in brick-and-mortar stores.
Walmart and several other retailers have revolutionized their self-checkout experience due to the pandemic.
Consumers prefer a contactless way to efficiently checkout their items – self-checkout kiosks have temporarily solved this problem.
Walmart has dedicated an entire page to questions about the payment process.
“Over the past few years, we have introduced new hosted checkouts in some of our stores,” the website says.
“Our employees in the “customer host” function can show customers the available cash registers, guide them through the payment process and answer their questions.”
Anti-theft measures introduced by retailers
Retailers in the US and Canada have implemented anti-theft strategies. The US Sun has compiled a list of the measures that have been implemented in stores.
- Lock items in cupboards.
- Safety pins.
- surveillance cameras.
- Signs warn of the consequences of theft.
- Receipt scanner.
- Receipt checks.
- Cart with locking technology
With the new checkout process, the retailer hopes that consumers will be able to complete their purchases even faster.
Walmart said this option will continue to be available for customers who prefer to pay at checkout.
However, with the introduction of self-checkouts, there was an increase in organized crime and shoplifting.
Consumers have experienced items being overlooked – intentionally or not – when scanning themselves at self-checkout kiosks.
Because product theft continued to occur, retailers decided to limit the number of self-checkout lanes.
Meanwhile, Walmart’s anti-theft measures sparked anger among customers after a customer had to go through multiple security checkpoints to buy a single pair of socks.
And shoppers couldn’t believe it when a customer passed on several pairs of jeans she had purchased at a popular retail store for 50 cents and $1.