Walmart, Costco and other companies rethink self-checkout

[RossMAN]

For better or worse, my groceryoutlet doesn't get big lines. Not when I'm there anyway. While it's great getting out of the store quickly, I worry they aren't making enough money to stick around. I'd *really* hate to see them go. They're exactly what I like in a grocery store. Cheap prices, and random inventory. Makes it fun seeing what new stuff they got in every week, and trying new things.

I do love the random inventory, it's like a treasure hunt. Also make sure to sign up for their rewards club, they have some decent $5 off $25 offers, random spin wheel stuff, etc. They have a fairly robust international cuisine (esp Asian and Latino), decent hot sauce selection, teas, etc.

One cool thing I discovered recently is you can check inventory using the Grocery Outlet app which has been clutch. Just select your location, type the brand name/whatever, if no results, try another location, if it doesn't appear they don't have it.

 

[WelshBloke]

All the supermarkets round here do delivery so I use that for a big shop then scan and shop (you know, you scan your stuff as you put it in the trolley then you just need to pay at the terminal on the way out) for any top up shops.
I can't be spending ages finding ship in the supermarket because they think it's a good idea to move stuff round then waiting ages in a queue just to wait ages as everything gets rung up!

 

[thestrangebrew1]

When it's good, self checkout is pretty good, but badly run machines, and groceries make it miserable. Groceries are probably the worst case scenario due to the potential oddities and one-offs.

Pretty much this IME. We did groceries one time and I said forget it after that. Looking up various fruits and veggies, then having to weigh them, and half the time the scale doesn't work is just a complete waste of time. The convenience of scanning a few items of just about anything else can't really be beat though. I especially like the SCO at Home Depot. Usually never too long of a wait, and I don't think I've ever had any issues with the pricing, even sale items. It's been awhile since I've physically been to Target or Walmart here, so I haven't noticed if they've removed some of the SCO registers. I think I went to Target about a month ago. I did notice that there were more workers manning their registers, and calling out to shoppers that they were available for check out. Maybe that was their way to get shoppers to use them while they phase out the SCO.

 

[jpiniero]

Maybe that was their way to get shoppers to use them while they phase out the SCO.

Oh I don't think Target will phase out SCO completely. How far they cut probally depends on store shrinkage levels.