A supermarket has been praised for choosing to remove all its self-service checkouts, despite the depressing reason behind the decision.
IGA Greenslopes, in Brisbane’s southwest, will close its user-operated checkout machines in favor of traditional staffed checkouts.
The move sparked a groundswell of support and recognition, as disgruntled shoppers celebrated a return to old-fashioned customs.
‘Excellent. I hate self-service areas,” one wrote.
IGA Greenslopes in Brisbane’s southwest will reportedly close its user-operated checkout machines in favor of traditional human-staffed checkouts.
The move sparked a groundswell of support and gratitude, as disgruntled shoppers celebrated a return to the old ways (pictured IGA Greenslopes)
‘I am NOT a supermarket employee.’
Another fan celebrated the fact that it would likely create more jobs.
“It’s about time, I hope the rest of the other supermarkets decide to do this,” they said.
“It’s a personal touch to be served by a person, not a machine.”
Another supported the measure because “they hate being made to feel like a criminal with those Big Brother cameras.”
“And they’re at such an unflattering angle,” they added.
Many called for larger supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles and Aldi to do the same.
But the store owners are believed to have made the decision for a depressing reason.
It was implemented due to a huge increase in shoplifting, reported news.com.au.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has approached IGA Greenslopes for comment.
Retail expert Gary Mortimer told the ABC that shoplifting in Australia was costing retailers around $9 billion each year and much of that was due to the cost of living crisis.
“There is certainly a correlation between the cost of living crisis and the increase in retail theft, whether it’s supermarkets, consumer electronics or discount department stores; it’s happening across the board,” he said.
Supermarkets have introduced several new security measures, including security cameras and automatic doors, in recent months in a bid to combat the rise in shoplifting.
But this technology is often too expensive for smaller independent stores.