Retailers PULLING THE PLUG on Self‑Checkout—Why?

Walmart has scrapped self‑checkout at multiple stores nationwide after surging thefts, replacing automation with staffed lanes in a sweeping reversal aimed at tightening security—but potentially testing customer patience.

At a Glance

• A Walmart Supercenter in Shrewsbury, Missouri, removed all self‑checkout lanes in April 2024 after a surge in shoplifting

• Police calls at that store dropped from 509 to 183 in one year, while theft-related arrests were cut in half

• Walmart executives cite local crime rates, staffing needs, and customer feedback as key factors

• Critics say removing self‑checkout leads to longer lines and less convenience for shoppers

• Other retailers, including Target, Dollar General, and Five Below, are rolling back self‑checkout amid similar concerns

Theft Triggers Tech Retreat

Walmart’s Shrewsbury Supercenter became the pilot for this sweeping change after local police flagged it for an alarming spike in theft. Following the store’s April 2024 decision to eliminate all self‑checkout lanes, police calls for theft dropped by more than half over a year—an outcome Shrewsbury Police Chief Lisa Vargas directly linked to the policy shift.
According to KMOV St. Louis, theft-related arrests similarly fell, highlighting the significant impact on local crime.

Watch a report: Why Walmart is Ditching Self-Checkout.

Convenience vs. Control

Walmart spokespersons emphasized that each store evaluates whether to offer self‑checkout based on local dynamics: “It depends on staffing levels, customer preferences, and security risks,” they told Business Insider.

Some customers have pushed back. “I don’t want to wait 20 minutes in line,” one shopper told KTVI Fox 2. But retail analysts say that persistent losses—self‑checkout theft is estimated to cost billions annually—are driving the rollback.

Industry-Wide Policy Shift

Walmart isn’t alone. Other chains such as Target, Dollar General, and Five Below are quietly curbing self‑checkout as part of a broader retail recalibration. Target now limits self‑checkout to smaller baskets to reduce shrinkage, while Dollar General is restoring more manned registers across high-loss locations.

Experts say the move underscores an industry-wide priority shift—from maximizing convenience to regaining control of inventory and profit margins. Whether this is a short-term adjustment or a long-term rollback of retail automation remains to be seen.