Are self-checkouts checking out...?
A Northern supermarket chain Booths removed its self-service check outs back in November 2023, from all of its 28 stores.
it claimed that the decision was about improving customer service, but quite possibly there was a more cynical motive:
Self-checkouts are correlated with a more than doubling in shoplifting rates. I mean this makes sense, it's pretty easy to do, and Rational Choice Theory holds that crime increases when it's easier for people to get away with it.
According to this Daily Mail article even the middle classes are scamming the self check outs, even Mum's Net users!
The problem is not so much the lack of surveillance - most of these self check outs actually record people on video, don't forget - but then no one is reviewing the footage!
It's also interesting to note that some stores don't actually weigh the bagging area items too accurately, so it's defo possible to scan one item and put another lighter weight item in with it without scanning that.
The theft stats are generational too, according on survey one third of Gen Zers admitted to stealing from a self check out compared to 15% over all, no wonder more than half of younger people love a self check out in a store!
Solutions: more or less tech...?
I can see this going either way... either strip them out and replace them with the old staff-served check outs.
Or the hybrid solution: double the number of staff monitoring self check outs.
Or go the whole hog and upgrade the tech: more sensitive weighing machines, and maybe even get some better AI related cameras to identify what's being passed surreptitiously below the scanner, link that to facial recognition to flag suspects for closer monitoring, or ban them from the self checkouts altogether!
So if you like a bit of light fingered action at these automated tills, enjoy it while you can still get away with it!
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Where I live, no stores that I frequent have given up on self-checkout, in fact Aldi has recently added self-checkout to their stores. Cub groceries seem to have given up on weighing items, other than some fresh produce. Target recently switched to a 10-item maximum.
That's interesting: maybe the saving on staff outweighs any losses through shoplifting.
Why anyone would even try shoplifting at Target is beyond me. Having worked there a lifetime ago, I know that the place has more cameras than a casino. Saw one of my coworkers leaving in handcuffs. WTF was he thinking?
I wouldn't use the DM as a source of reliable news. I have heard elsewhere that shoplifting is on the rise, especially as many people are struggling financially. If you are automatic checkouts then you need ways to check for people cheating the system. Don't Amazon have some stores with no checkout as the cameras work out what you picked up. There need to be systems that deter the thieves, but I don't know what that could be.
Oh the DM wad just for the bios - stats show SL is up with these checkouts!
The Daily Fail is a devious publication at best but I’m not surprised people are being naughty. Our local Sainsbury’s insists you take a receipt as you need one to get past the controlled barriers just beyond the self checkout areas. This caught me out as I declined a receipt having purchased all of my shopping and then I got stuck at the barrier. I had no idea that this system was in place.
I'm always surprised when you're asked whether you want a receipt, or shops just assume you don't. I'm often going in several shops on one journey, buying the things I want from whichever one is cheaper, I'm waiting for the day they say that I didn't put the bottle of wine that I came in with through the till.
It’s probably happened somewhere leading to arguments that the customer had purchased it but don’t wish to collect a load of receipts.
Yes I've seen that in London!
Probably in response to the dishonesty going on!
On Radio 4 (!), there was a tip about taking in a barcode for a cheaper bottle of wine and then picking up a more expensive one.
Love that! So very middle class!
Ohhh no let's not get more sensitive scales, those things glitch all the time as it is. Self check is sometimes slower not because you don't know what you're doing (or are stealing), but just because the damn scale is like OMG YOU PUT THAT IN TOO FAST or whatever. 😂
I did see a video that said statistically, middle class/rich people are MORE likely to steal. They get a thrill out of it or something, and are less likely to face consequences/get caught because no one suspects them if they look like they have money. 🙄 Like I would never blame a desperate person doing something desperate & that's more of a sign of our lack of community care/social safety net than anything - like apparently the most common stolen item is BABY FORMULA which I think is a condemnation of our society, not the desperate mothers. But rich people doing it for fun? 🙄
It is just for the easy thrills, rather sad, no?!?
It makes me think of Marie in Breaking Bad. 😂
Ah yes!
No alarm at the exit door?
lol!, good, I have always hated self-checkouts and refuse to use them. Self Service is no service imo, and it is not as if I am being compensated for doing the job that the supermarket previously paid someone to do.
Give me something off my bill for checking myself out, and maybe I'll do it, hmmm, seems a few have taken that into their own hands, literally
As the say, opportunity makes a thief
I prefer not to but the queus at the regular ones put me off!
You gave me a little laugh to brighten my day.
Plus a new theory to refer to Rational Choice Theory
Two for the price of one.
Thanks
Got to keep an eye on those gramdmas for sure!
Grandma stealing groceries
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