Address Shoppers Furious Over Bizarre Self-Checkout Rule That Extends a Simple Purchase to ’20 Minutes’ or More

Target shoppers are up in arms over a rule that leaves self-checkout systems closed, increasing wait times.

Local bosses now “have the flexibility to set self-checkout times suitable for their store.” The new policy implemented in March allows staff to open kiosks late or close them early, or even during the day.

But customers say this causes long waits as stores don’t open staffed cash registers beyond traditional ones to make up for closed self-checkouts.

‘The store closes at 10:00 p.m., but the self-checkout closes at 9:00 p.m. and there are only three cashiers between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.?’ posted one customer on X, formerly Twitter.

“A huge line every night between 9 and 10 at night.”

Another angered X: ‘Hitting my head against the wall. Why does running to the goal to get Red Bull now take 20 minutes?

“Because they closed all the self-checkout lines until 10 in the morning.”

Target made changes to its self-checkout policies that began March 17.

Local shop bosses now have the option of opening kiosks late or closing them early, causing the problems described above.

The move is a response to store managers who want time to set up machines at the beginning of the day and time to turn them off at the end. At this time, they also need to checkout and sort stock, and it is believed that self-checkouts can be a distraction.

Target also implemented a ten-item limit for all self-checkout systems in its stores. He renamed it “express self-checkout,” saying the limit made lines move faster.

had been testing the limit in 200 stores since October and was rolled out to a total of 2,000, despite shoppers complaining that stores did not open additional staffed lanes for those with more than ten items.

At the time, Target said: ‘Store leaders have the flexibility to open more lanes staffed by team members and set self-checkout times appropriate for their store.

“While hours of operation may vary based on store needs, Express Self Checkout will be available during peak business hours.”

Some Target stores are taking tougher measures in response to high crime rates, such as age-restricted entry and increased security.

In December, one store implemented an age restriction, requiring customers under 18 to be accompanied by an adult.

Meanwhile, other retailers are making changes to self-checkout systems, and many of them are eliminating them.

DailyMail.com reported on Wednesday how Walmart was removing them entirely from two more stores.

The measure is related to the increase in thefts at kiosks, rather than a measure to improve customer service.

Last month, Dollar General announced it would completely remove self-checkout kiosks from 300 of its stores with the highest levels of shoplifting and incorrectly scanned items.

At another 9,000 locations, it said it is converting some of its self-checkouts to regular checkouts and will limit self-checkout purchases to five items or fewer at another 4,500 stores.

Other retailers are also evolving their self-checkout strategies.

Walmart tested self-checkout lanes exclusively for Walmart+ members and experimented with closing self-checkout during specific hours.