NO RESPONSE
Kroger stays silent as shopper stopped in tracks by self-checkout policy limit ‘pop up’ – customers had ‘no warning’
Kroger isn't the only retailer that has turned to self-checkout policies
A KROGER shopper has berated the chain after appearing to encounter a glitch while trying to scan items at the self-checkout.
The customer shared a picture of the station he was using and was met with a notice that “help is on its way.”
2
2
According to an X thread, the machine told him he had scanned 17 items.
It appears that the Kroger store in question had implemented a self-checkout policy where only 15 items can be scanned.
The shopper claimed there was no advance warning that the policy had been rolled out.
And, they were powerless to do anything as the message couldn’t be cleared without a staffer intervening.
read more on money
The shopper shared an image of the self-checkout station and addressed Kroger in his tirade.
Kroger did not respond to the customer.
The shopper is not the only customer who has complained about the self-checkout rule.
Another limited the 15 item rule as “stupid.”
Most read in Money
But, other customers revealed they wanted Kroger chiefs to install a limit on the number of items that can be scanned.
In 2018, a Kroger shopper blasted their local store for removing an Express lane measure.
Long Lines and Customer Boycotts: Kroger's Response Explained
They claimed a customer had 20 items in their cart, while they were forced to wait despite only having five items in their buggy, according to an X thread.
“What happened to the 15 item or less at self checkout!” another raged on X seemingly wanting answers.
They couldn’t hide their frustration of waiting behind shoppers with full carts.
Kroger shoppers appear to have taken a different stance when it comes to self-checkout limits.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
Such policies have not proved popular at Target locations.
Target hit the headlines in March last year when it announced that self-checkout stations would be limited to a maximum of 10 items per shopper.
The policy was rolled out on a widespread basis after it was trialed at 200 stores in the fall of 2023.
Target chiefs explained that they wanted to understand guest preferences.
Officials said shoppers turned to the self-checkout during the Covid pandemic because it was a convenient option.
But, the policy has not been warmly received by all shoppers.
And, some have threatened to launch a boycott as a consequence.
Policies restricting shoppers to 15 items at the self-checkout at certain Walmart stores have also been rolled out.
Read More on The US Sun
In February last year, Schnucks also rolled out a policy limiting customers to a maximum of 10 items.
But, it attracted a torrent of customer backlash, so bosses relaxed the measure to 15 items.