Major retailers like Walmart and Dollar General are scaling back self-checkout systems due to rising theft and operational efficiency concerns. This shift marks a significant change in retail strategy across the United States.
As of early Tuesday, Walmart announced it would eliminate self-checkout machines in favor of traditional cashier lanes. Dollar General removed these machines from 12,000 stores in 2024. Sam’s Club will replace self-checkouts with AI-powered ‘scan and go’ technology.
Costco is experimenting with hybrid systems, blending both self-checkout and staffed lanes. Retail experts suggest that bringing back staffed lanes can significantly reduce theft and improve accuracy.
A December 2025 LendingTree survey revealed alarming statistics: 69% of self-checkout users believe the system makes stealing easier. Additionally, 27% admitted to intentionally not scanning items, while 36% said they accidentally left without scanning something.
The survey also found that 61% of those who made accidental mistakes kept the items. These findings highlight the challenges retailers face with self-service technology.
Legislators in several states are considering laws to balance self-checkout stations with employee-operated ones. In New York City, Council member Amanda Farías proposed an amendment to limit self-checkout transactions to 15 items.
Amanda Farías commented, “We’ve seen the consequences of removing workers from these spaces: increased retail theft, less oversight, fewer protections for both workers and customers, and generally decreased safety.”
Walmart’s spokesperson stated that their changes are guided by feedback from associates and customers. The future of self-checkout remains uncertain as retailers adapt to these challenges.
