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 / NEWS

Walmart has an 'annoying' new rule that is making checkout process more difficult, say shoppers

Walmart introduced the new policy and restrictions after another retailer, Target, did the same.
PUBLISHED NOV 4, 2024
Customer waiting at the checkout counter in a Walmart store | (Image source: Getty Images | Joe Raedle)
Customer waiting at the checkout counter in a Walmart store | (Image source: Getty Images | Joe Raedle)

At a time when social distancing became the norm and tech to ensure contactless service was quickly introduced everywhere from supermarkets to public transport, self-checkout gained popularity. But as years passed and the world returned to normalcy, things such as remote work and self-service kiosks were phased out. Recently, retail chains such as Target and Walmart have either scaled back self-checkouts or introduced changes, which are not being appreciated by all. One Walmart customer even took to the popular Reddit forum r/Walmart to vent their frustration with the new policies.

A Man Standing At A Self Checkout Counter In The Store (Image source: stock photo/Getty Images)
A man standing at a self checkout counter at a store (Image source: stock photo/Getty Images)

Making Checkouts a Hassle Again?

The Redditor known as u/EcstaticPrint8583 shared that they used to work at a Walmart store and there have been issues with the chain's self-checkout system since day one. "Every time I go to the store closer to my house their self-checkout is either closed with 2 cashiers in the entire store," the user complained. They further shared that things have worsened over the years with changes introduced at the stores. They claimed that the store where they worked had no item limit for both cash and card payment options. However, the local store they now shop at only had the card option at self-checkout, which was mostly closed. 

Close-up shot of a woman using acredit card to pay at the self-checkout counter (Image source: Stock photo/Getty Images)
Close-up shot of a woman using acredit card to pay at the self-checkout counter (Image source: Stock photo/Getty Images)

Being a Walmart+ customer didn't make things any easier for the user either. "Until recently, first they started closing self-checkout so now most are closed most of the time. Then just this month the put item limit to 15 items", the user further complained. They clarified that it was not a nationwide change and it was done only at the local store. "It is so annoying because what is the actual point of scan & go?" they wrote, and shared that the cashier stopped them from scanning all their items. Although they complied once, the user decided to fight the next time.


Posts from the walmart
community on Reddit

 

"I normally don't bother associates/cashiers cuz I was one of them once & it is hard plus they aren't the ones making rules", the user wrote, calling the entire idea stupid. Responding to the post, one user did point out a plausible reason behind the self-checkout changes. 


Comment
byu/EcstaticPrint8583 from discussion
inwalmart

 

Why is Walmart Scaling Back Tech?

Once the pandemic was over, shoppers continued to enjoy the self-checkout lanes, and some were taking advantage of it. 



 

As part of the changes introduced earlier this year, the self-checkout in certain Walmart stores is only open to Spark Drivers, Walmart+ members, and customers with 10 or fewer items. Walmart introduced the restrictions after Target announced a similar 10-item cap on its self-checkout lanes. Meanwhile, Dollar General reduced self-checkout at most of its locations and removed it entirely from thousands of its locations.



 

The decision to reduce self-checkout comes as retailers are facing growing concerns about theft. While the system offers convenience, it also increases the likelihood of shoplifting and frustration among shoppers. "Rising theft — part of what retailers call "shrink" — is the primary reason self-checkout is being ditched in some stores and restricted in others", Neil Saunders, managing director, of retail, at GlobalData told CBS.



 

At the same time, Walmart officially says that it is “re-evaluating its self-checkout strategy” and not completely abandoning it. The multinational retailer is testing new technology that doesn't require a cashier, similar to something that Amazon Go has introduced, according to 9meters.

RELATED TOPICS WALMART
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Fallon got on Steve Harvey's nerves by mixing up the show with "Jeopardy!"
9 hours ago
The guest had no idea that the hood ornament was created by renowned artist Harriet Frishmuth.
1 day ago
Fans took to Reddit to discuss the player's performance and what they described as a lucky win.
1 day ago
Harrison couldn't believe his eyes when he saw one of the Holy Grails of American history.
1 day ago
This was the first time that Harrison had come across an IndyCar on sale.
2 days ago
The item turned out to be worth 10 times more than what the guest expected its value to be.
2 days ago
Cuban was against a royalty deal offered by his fellow Sharks, Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec.
3 days ago
The collection of 11 national championship rings was from the UConn Women's Basketball dynasty.
3 days ago
Fans alleged that the show is using increasingly difficult puzzles in the Bonus Rounds.
3 days ago
The guest had endured a lot of criticism for buying the prints at even such a low price.
4 days ago
Things got intense for her as she unlocked a mega cash with just one key in her hand in the "Master Key" game.
4 days ago
A popular name has come up in every conversation about White's successor.
5 days ago
Lori Greiner wasn't happy at all as Mark Cuban and Maria Sharapova snubbed her for a deal.
5 days ago
Fans took to Reddit to discuss the issue with Seacrest not reminding the players of one crucial element.
6 days ago
When Rick Harrison's side kick bought King Booker's boots, he had to make sure it was the real deal.
6 days ago
Turns out the Hollywood star is quite the fan of former U.S. President, Ronald Reagan.
6 days ago
Harrison bagged one of Jabbar's personal items and a chance to go to a Lakers game with him
7 days ago
Recently, the Bonus Round of the show has featured many old phrases that led to heartbreaking losses.
7 days ago
Lubetzky was the first to drop out but then came back as he was impressed by the entrepreneur.
May 28, 2025
The appraiser took the guest's breath away as she was expecting to get much less for it.
May 28, 2025