The real reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing more self-checkouts — as states and NYC push limits
Walmart, Target, and Costco are reducing or reconfiguring self-checkout options in some stores, citing customer service improvements and operational efficiency, while experts suggest rising theft and shoplifting are key drivers behind the shift. Retailers like Dollar General and Sam’s Club have also removed or replaced self-checkouts, with some adopting new technologies such as AI-powered scanning. Meanwhile, several states and New York City are considering regulations to limit self-checkout use and require more staffed checkout lanes.
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Lifestyle The real reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing more self-checkouts — as states and NYC push limits By Brooke Steinberg Published April 30, 2026, 10:09 a.m. ET Some major retailers are doing away with self-checkouts as legislators fight for stricter regulations on self-checkout systems. Among those brands, Walmart is eliminating self-checkout machines as the retail giant continues their experiment with automation. The retailer has been slowly removing their machines from its stores to go old school and bring back traditional cashier lanes. The latest location to dump its self-checkout was in South Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. 4 Retailers are removing self-checkout machines — but not because of customer service.
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