Walmart removing self checkouts, reported results include significant reduction in theft

can't find the link now, but about a month ago, I read an article saying that Sams Club was going to start Removing ALL their checkouts, ( manned and Self scan) starting in Tx, Rolling out nationwide. everyone will HAVE to use their Scan and pay Phone app...
We have been told that, too by Sam's employees. My wife's memory on her phone (TracFone galaxy something or other) can't take any more apps due to her storage issue. We will be watching closely as the experience will affect whether we renew our membership in Feb 26.
 
Essentially, Wal Mart was the only major retailer with the exception of Costco that wasn't trying to non-stop trick me during shopping. I didn't need to invest extra brain power to avoid being tricked while shopping at Wal mart. Something Albertsons, Fred Myers, Safeway. King Soopers, Walgreens, CVS, etc all seem to focus extra heavy on.
I like this. I like that Walmart doesn't have regular sales. They do have "rollbacks" if they manage to twist a vendor's arm the right way or if worldwide wholesale pricing allows them to. A store with regular sales has to have inflated regular prices to make it happen.

WM also doesn't have discounts for large special groups (seniors, vets, etc). Everyone gets the same price. Unlike my local supermarket and the local parts stores, I don't have to enter a zip code to "find my store" before I can see item pricing. This leads me to believe that WM does less "zone pricing", i.e. "How much can you afford based on where you live?" While the stores may not always match walmart.com prices, I do believe the website is the same nationwide (at least in the lower 48) and they'd be happy to ship you your item at the advertised website price if they don't want to fulfill it in store.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GON
I’m at a loss why Canadians still pack Target. Wife says we sell different things. Really?
I've never been to a Target but in general, places like that are much. much bigger than what we generally have up here and have better selection.

Target tried to make a big expansion into Canada but people found that the selection was miniscule compared to the US-based stores and pricing was not close to being equivalent. They started out with most stores having lots of empty shelves, lacking stock, and they never really got off the ground. They gave up quickly and wrote off billions of dollars.

Anyway, last time I was down in Washington State I stopped at a Walmart and it was very clean and pleasant (skylights, great lighting) and much bigger and better stocked than what I'm used to. The oil and filter section was like heaven.
 
I've never been to a Target but in general, places like that are much. much bigger than what we generally have up here and have better selection.

Target tried to make a big expansion into Canada but people found that the selection was miniscule compared to the US-based stores and pricing was not close to being equivalent. They started out with most stores having lots of empty shelves, lacking stock, and they never really got off the ground. They gave up quickly and wrote off billions of dollars.

Anyway, last time I was down in Washington State I stopped at a Walmart and it was very clean and pleasant (skylights, great lighting) and much bigger and better stocked than what I'm used to. The oil and filter section was like heaven.
Target sells many of the same goods as Walmart-except they are private label items. JMHO. I would say Target's casual clothes are of better quality than Walmart. However-I feel no completing reason(s) to shop at Target.
 
I'm always a believer that statistics always fails as soon as there is a motivation to cheat the system. Walmart and many other retailers may do their own analysis initially but when a loophole is found, the whole thing will change and will be exploited.

I think with the way crimes go in the future we will have membership system to shop in most reputable stores, not for profit but to prevent exploitation or crimes. Or merchandises are prepaid before checkout just like gas these days.
 
Hasn't happened at the WMs near me, but the Dollar Generals in my area shut all their self checkouts down last year, presumably for the same reason.
The ones near me did as well, but unfortunately they didn’t add any cashiers. At the one closest to my house there’s often only one person working. There’s a kid’s squeaky toy you’re supposed to squeeze to summon the cashier if they’re busy stocking shelves. I can only imagine how many people just walk out the door with their stuff.
 
Walmart's asset protection is on a different level, you'd be crazy to even think about trying something there. They're also in cahoots with all the local law enforcement, it's wild to read about some of the minor stuff they can get the local police to prosecute.

I won't step foot in the store, it's a hell hole. My Amex pays for Walmart+ so I let them bring the stuff to me.
Agreed on multiple levels; I know for a fact they don't give any "Breaks" or warnings. 5.0 is on speed dial and are just a few minutes away.

Hate that place myself, but not many choices around my way. I probably end up there ~ once a month for the big ticket items that the grocery store or Target just rape you over (Cleaning stuff, paper products, canned goods usually frozen stuff)

Don't care for self check outs anyway, again not always a choice, especially outside of ~9-5. Local Grocery store I go 1-2x a week is so annoying: only room for 2 plastic bags of stuff, then the anti-theft thing starts blowing up and the attendant has to come over...
 
I normally avoid the self checkout lines. I can't stand being spoken to in that automated resting "witch" voice.

Same, not only are they making me check myself out and bag my own purchases, but then they have an LCD screen and camera pointed at me with a giant MONITORING IN PROCESS sign on it while some supervisor watches over me like I'm going to steal everything. I'm done shopping at stores that play those games.
 
Costco's setup has evolved over the years. Where to place it has changed (would create a scenario where people using self checkout would have the appearance that they are cutting in front of those waiting for cashiers when lines were long although there is cutting in general. But for a while, they had associates asking to see membership after making their purchases (this makes not a lot of sense as membership is needed to make the purchase--say they are using someone else's membership--now what?). Lastly imho self checkout has always encouraged the 5 finger discount, just not so much at Costco as they are trained to count items at the exit.

Walmart is a curiosity. Sure on weekends it's super packed. But during the week at my lunch break? Empty--go in and out. Because a typical Walmart shopper has to go to work physically. They're not able to pretend to be working from home. Go to Costco at this time? PACKED. Imagine if the people building Chevy trucks could work from home lol

Walmart has never gotten it together. Remember, there was a brief period when they tagged return items on the way in, because people were going into the store and returning items off the shelves, that were never purchased? That process didn't stay long, it made sense imho but shoplifters' feelings got hurt 🤦‍♂️
 
Target sells many of the same goods as Walmart-except they are private label items. JMHO. I would say Target's casual clothes are of better quality than Walmart. However-I feel no completing reason(s) to shop at Target.
When you compare name brand products .... Walmart is cheaper than Target...
 
  • Like
Reactions: CKN
A Walmart in Missouri with high theft/shoplifting did the unthinkable. Walmart reduced self checkout and increased cashier manning stations.

Results include a very significant shift in losses from theft/ shoplifting.

I find this interesting as it seemed big merchants preferred losses from theft/shoplifting over paying and managing cashiers. I guess at some point, the losses from theft/shoplifting became to high to pass to the customers.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmon...checkout-uturn-surge-police-calls-stores.html
Safeway has/had a policy like this when I worked there many years ago. In fact employees were told they could get fired for confronting or trying to stop shoplifters. They now have headsets and have can communicate if they suspect of someone shoplifting.
 
I'm sure that insurance companies would be tired of cutting "shrinkage " checks at the end of the year as well.
 
Walmart's asset protection is on a different level, you'd be crazy to even think about trying something there. They're also in cahoots with all the local law enforcement, it's wild to read about some of the minor stuff they can get the local police to prosecute.

They caught our Postmaster shoplifting at our local Walmart to the tune of $74.90. Imagine losing a good paying government position like that, for trying to steal just $75 bucks worth of common, everyday crap. Stupid on steroids.

https://postaltimes.com/havasu-postmaster-cited-on-nine-counts-of-shoplifting/
 
I have a Walmart and an Aldi right next to each other. They practically share a parking lot so I park in the middle of both. Sometimes I go to one and then to the other on the same trip. I’m a cheap bastard so I’ll do whatever a I can to save money.
 
Our local Walmarts (1 Super Center, 3 Neighborhood Markets) are all pretty good fortunately. The NMs recently went to predominantly self-checkouts with only 3 or 4 manned cash registers. They now use Ai camera systems at all the self-checkouts that scan for fraud/theft. I've been "caught" 3 times when the cameras thought I made gestures that were consistent with "skip-scanning". Loud alarm and flashing lights at my register go off and the checkout monitor comes over to ensure it's all good (it is). I know almost all of the staff in these Walmarts from my previous day job and they know me. They all tell me the new system has significantly cut down the theft from customers, but not internal theft.

Oh, and we have schooled our Super Center's Loss Prevention staff on what they can and can't do legally with regard to theft, trespassing, or any other interaction that may result in criminal prosecution, especially the constitutionality of requesting ID or criminal elements necessary for us to affect an arrest. In doing so, all of the shoplifting cases that have been challenged/appealed on legal grounds were upheld because of it. All LP staff now use photos of trespassing subjects instead of requesting ID (or having LE do it). If you're going to enforce the rules, ya gotta do it the right way.
 
All ships move down at low tide. I have to wonder if seeing areas turn a blind eye to theft - unless above a certain amount - effects the mindset in other places …
 
Back
Top Bottom