TARGET has come under fire again for its maximum item policy at self-checkouts.
One unhappy shopper took to social media to complain after he was left unable to pay for his goods.
Target is under fire again for its self-checkout item limit[/caption]
He exceeded the store’s limit with more than 10 products – but there were no manned check-outs open.
“When you limit the self checkout to 10 items, but don’t have any employee-run registers open … please explain,” posted Charles C on X.
Voicing his frustration he continued: “And then I’m told I can’t use the self checkout because too many items but no one is available to work a register…. Cmon now. Shouldn’t be like this.”
It would seem Target recognizes there’s a problem with their system as a spokesperson responding on X said: “I understand how this can be frustrating, thank you for sharing your feedback.
“We hear that the new checkout process isn’t working. And it sounds like we’re not staffing enough team members at the register.”
The spokesperson also asked which store was involved, but so far, there has been no post in reply.
SELF-CHECKOUT WOES
It’s the latest in a series of complaints directed at Target and other retailers about customers’ bad experiences at check-out.
Target employees have been rigorously enforcing the maximum number of goods allowed at self-checkout kiosks, which has added to shoppers’ dissatisfaction.
And this is made worse by self-checkout machines that aren’t working properly, as well as lack of manned lanes open.
Target introduced the 10-item limit in Fall 2023 in response to queues at self-checkouts – with stores in Maine reporting lines of over 50 customers waiting to pay for their goods.
The policy was then rolled out to other locations, but it has not been welcomed by frustrated shoppers.
The retailer has been accused of adding to waiting times and so increasing people’s stress levels.
As the U.S Sun reported recently, Target bosses say they want to provide shoppers with a fast and easy experience.
They intend to open extra manned checkout lanes, which will reduce queues but also benefit those customers who don’t like using self-checkout.
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.
In response to complaints earlier this year on X and reported here, Target wrote: “We’re prioritizing full-service check lanes to support our guests during the entire day and intend to open Express Self-Checkout to support busier times.”
Target isn’t the only retailer to have introduced a maximum limit on products that can be processed through self-checkouts.
Other retailers too have introduced the measure in a bid to cut theft in their stores.
Walmart has come under fire in locations where it has introduced item limits – thought their limit is 15 items and doesn’t apply to all stores.
Schnucks is another chain that rolled out a max of 10 items for self-checkout, however bosses relaxed that rule after backlash from customers and the limit is now 15 products.
The restriction on the number of items allowed to be purchased via self-checkout is in response to increasing levels of theft from stores.
