ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / MONEY 101

Walmart shopper with a newborn cries after being forced to scan $500 in groceries all by herself

Walmart had earlier removed self-checkout kiosks from some of its stores but does not have plans for other outlets.
PUBLISHED NOV 9, 2024
Representational image showing a line at a supermarket checkout counter | (Cover image source: Getty Images | David McNew)
Representational image showing a line at a supermarket checkout counter | (Cover image source: Getty Images | David McNew)

Self-checkouts were initially launched to enable contactless shopping during the social distancing era. But just like QR menus, retailers and customers are now done with self-checkout kiosks, even though waiting at counters remains a hassle. Consumers are so frustrated that a Walmart shopper was left in tears after finding the only option to pay for her $500 shop was through self-checkout. 

Checkout counter monitor in Walmart | (Image Source: Getty Images | James Leynse)
Image showing a checkout counter at a Walmart store | (Image Source: Getty Images | James Leynse)

The customer who was shopping with a newborn for an hour said that she seriously "considered walking out" but realized that her efforts would all go to vain if she did that. "I cried at a Walmart in Columbia today," she wrote on social media, before adding, "Was in there with a screaming newborn in my arms and a cart full of $500 worth of groceries and self-checkout was the only option. I seriously considered walking out but then the hour and 1/2 of shopping would have been for nothing," according to The Sun

The customer who felt spent by the end of the ordeal later said that she stood in line for 23 minutes because only two self-checkout stations were working at the time. She also said that none of the scan-and-go counters were operating. She even admitted, "I’m too much of a decent person to leave my cart full of items at the front but I considered."

People wait to checkout in Walmart during the Pandemic | (Image Source: Getty Images | Al Bello )
People wait in checkout lines at a Walmart store| (Image Source: Getty Images | Al Bello)

The first self-checkout kiosks were rolled out in American stores more than thirty years ago and were introduced as a new way to save time for customers and also prevent theft. While the tech did help the customers as well as businesses to an extent, it has now become a burden. With the holiday season around the corner, it looks like shoppers are in for some testing times at supermarkets. "Going to the grocery store used to be simple, and now it’s frustrating," Cindy Whittington, 66, of Fairfax, Virginia told Fortune. "You’re paying more. You’re working harder to pay for merchandise at their store. And it’s become an ordeal to check out. I should get a 5% discount," she added.



 

Walmart rolled out its Walmart+ service in the hope of improving the checkout process earlier this year. Just like retailers such as Sam's Club or Costco, Walmart+ offers its members early and exclusive access to perks such as sales promotions and fuel discounts across its partner gas stations. In the grocery shopping space, it offers home deliveries free of charge, which can help customers avoid the checkout lines.

As far as self-checkout is concerned, retailers are rethinking its role in the overall shopping experience. Businesses are trying to tackle costly self-checkout lanes and staffing concerns along with the lost revenue. 

 A Walmart Supercenter cart outside of the store | Getty Images | Photo by Joe Raedle
A Walmart cart outside one of its stores | (Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Joe Raedle)

Back in April this year, Walmart decided to remove self-checkout kiosks at select locations, including two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland, in favor of checkout lines managed by staff, according to CX Dive. However, the retail giant does not have any plans to eliminate self-checkout counters from other stores. "We currently have no additional conversions to announce," a Walmart spokesperson told CX Dive.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
In the episode, the guest confirmed that the chair had been in her family for generations.
43 minutes ago
Eric Roy developed the filters in response to the water crisis that he saw in Flint, Michigan.
2 days ago
Gavin Batarse, an avid baseball player came to the tank with his venture Glove Wrap along with his father and sister.
3 days ago
Vanna White is said to be considering an early exit from the show since she didn't get the raise that she wanted.
6 days ago
Cuban passed on the lesson that he learned at the age of 22 from his mentor to the young entrepreneur.
7 days ago
The importance of the sculpture was forgotten over time until someone spotted it decades later.
Dec 5, 2024
After a lot of analysis, Rick concluded that the leather jacket indeed belonged to Marlon Brando and thus began the negotiation
Dec 4, 2024
Many took to social media and pointed out just how awkward the scene was.
Dec 4, 2024
She went to a CVS store in Blacksburg to purchase a Mega Millions ticket for the upcoming big jackpot of $893 million on March 18, 2024.
Dec 3, 2024
A Costco membership comes with restrictions, so make sure that you know the rules.
Dec 2, 2024
Ruth L Gottesman got $1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock upon her husband's passing.
Dec 1, 2024
Although she didn't get a deal, her appearance on "Shark Tank" significantly increased the visibility of her brand.
Nov 21, 2024
Back in 2017, a woman spotted an envelope lying at a Walmart store with an important message.
Nov 20, 2024
The condition does make a difference, but some vintage pairs have fetched a good price even though they were in bad shape.
Nov 19, 2024
You can make good money selling or pawning vintage items or other items in good condition.
Nov 19, 2024
The models who present the prizes have also become popular faces on the show and have bagged other projects.
Nov 17, 2024
If you have a box of Disney VHS tapes in around your house, it's time to pull them out because they could be worth thousands.
Nov 16, 2024
He always makes it a point to buy two tickets at a time and select his own numbers.
Nov 12, 2024
The woman was apprehensive about the transaction and shared her experience on social media.
Nov 12, 2024
The woman even went on to say that her father's spirit had a role to play in her lucky streak.
Nov 11, 2024