Self-checkout is coming to a new type of store across the US... and you will see them more than ever
Self-checkout kiosks are no longer just a grocery and big-box store staple.
They are starting to pop up in new retail settings throughout the country — but not everyone is convinced they're a great solution.
Convenience stores are starting to roll out the tech too.
For consumers, that means a gas station stop to buy chips, pretzels, and soda during a family trip will require an interaction with a machine rather than a cashier.
In February, two convenience chains — Wesco and Parker’s Kitchen — both announced plans to launch self-checkouts.
So far, over 3,000 convenience stores in the US use them.
Executives from the chains said they offer customers faster shopping experiences. The tech remains under staff supervision, meaning that the shift hasn't led to any job losses for either brand.
But as self-checkouts continue to roll out in the C-store industry, concerns about long-term job cuts, theft, and consumer frustrations still linger.
Self-checkouts are seeping into new industries - but questions remain about customer appetites outside of grocery stores
'Operating with one employee often means they can’t both serve customers and monitor self-checkout,' Fidaa Mohrez, the senior director of operational systems at H&S Energy Group, a giant operator of West-coast convenience stores, told C-Store Decisions.
'We've decided not to invest further in this project for now.'
Americans are growing increasingly accustomed to self-checkout machines.
In a recent Capital One Shopping survey, 95.9 percent of shoppers said they've scanned some of their own recent purchases.
Around 73 percent of respondents said they prefer using the tech in grocery stores over waiting in line for employee-operated machines.
The growing popularity in the grocery store is infiltrated other markets, and tech companies are hoping to capitalize on that blitz.
Corporations spent $23.9 billion on physical and tech upgrades to their self-checkout systems in 2023. That number is expected to explode to over $48 billion by 2033.
Industry experts said its important for stores to weigh customer hesitations around the tech as it is introduced in new retail environments.
C-stores are part of the next launch of self-checkout machines - it could impact how you buy a travel soda
Some big box stores, like Target, have launched thousands of self-checkout locations
'If it's more difficult than standing in line and waiting to be rung up, it'll be more headache than it's worth,' Mike Templeton, a partner with C-store logistics firm NexChapter, said to C-Store Decisions.
Big box stores have reported a series of massive headaches after swapping out long lines for rows of self-checkouts.
Walmart and Target had to walk back their expansive launch of self-checkout kiosks last year, bringing back thousands of traditional registers.
The companies said they've fought back against checkout theft and customer complaints since using the tech in their stores.
Meanwhile, regulators are starting to fight back against the computer-based registers in several states.
California, Washington, and Connecticut lawmakers have introduced bills to slow down or curb the use of self-checkouts in stores, citing job losses, danger to law enforcement, and customer frustrations.
