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WAL THE OPTIONS
New self-checkout changes have led some shoppers to protest the retail chain
- Charlotte Maracina, Freelance News Reporter
A WALMART shopper is begging competing chains to open stores nearby as they are fed up with the retailer.
The customer posted on X pleading with Aldi and midwest chain Meijer to open new locations.
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“To the good folks in charge at @Meijer and @AldiUSA, please open a location here in Ottawa, Ohio,” the shopper wrote.
“The @Walmart here is so poorly managed and neglected by corporate. The floor associates are doing the best they can... but there is only so much they can overcome.”
The chain replied, asking how it could help the frustrated customer.
“Don, we'd like to know more about your local stores. Could you send us a DM?”
READ MORE ON WALMART
A separate shopper replied to Walmart’s response telling the original poster not to bother reaching out to the company.
“Don't bother, I have waited hours for a response while they keep tweeting others.”
Shoppers nationwide have been infuriated with the retail chain after its recent changes to help prevent retail theft.
CHECKOUT CHANGES
Walmart, along with competitors such as Target, has been implementing a series of security measures to help prevent the rising rate of retail theft.
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The retailer began locking items up, checking receipts after shoppers used self-checkout, and removing self-checkouts altogether.
Self-checkout changes have been the biggest point of contention as the store also enforced a 15-item or less limit for self-checkout machines.
Walmart shopper hassled at receipt check gives three-word demand to staff over her shoulder & walks right out the door
"Something so funny about Walmart making self checkouts 15 items or less, only opening self checkouts, and then being confused when their customers don't know where to checkout their full carts," one customer tweeted about the restriciton.
One of the biggest changes it rolled out in select stores is designating specific self-checkout machines for Walmart+ customers.
Walmart+ is the store’s subscription service which charges customers an annual fee of $98 for perks such as free shipping and exclusive discounts.
While the exclusive self-checkout lanes make the subscribers happy, non-subscribers are furious about the change.
How to sign up to Walmart+
*If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue
Here's how to sign up to Walmart+:
- Head to theWalmartwebsite.
- Select 'Account' and then 'Walmart+'.
- Click 'Start free 30-day trial'.
- Enter your information.
- Enjoy the trial and benefits.
Remember to cancel before the 30 days are up, or pay $12.95 per month (which you can cancel at any time) or $98 for the annual plan if you want to keep it.
Read More
- What is Walmart+ and is it worth it?
- Walmart+ vs Amazon Prime
“I'm pretty sure they thought the idea of Walmart Plus members getting 2 use self service checkout is great...it's not,” one shopper posted on X.
“I'm currently at the store....there's 2 spots available in self service 4 them, while the other 15 registers are open with up to 7 to 8 waiting in each line.”
Attached to the post is a video of several shoppers waiting around for cashiers to check them out.
Another perk Walmart+ members have is the mobile feature, which offers a contact-free checkout experience using a phone to scan items as the consumer shops.
The company recently announced its new hosted checkouts, combining traditional cashiers and self-checkout.
The best Walmart deals August 2024
*If you click on a link in this article, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Walmart has launched several summer savings, with huge discounts across the retailer's product categories.
If you ask us, the best deals are on fashion and beauty, with dramatic discounts on perfume and skincare, and a standout deal on a designer handbag.
- Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau De Toilette,
$104$44.20 - buy here - Paco Rabanne 1 Million Cologne,
$130$89.55 - buy here - Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 1.69 oz,
$54$44.99 - buy here - Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm,
$29.50$14.99 - buy here - Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask,
$22$14.99 - buy here - Strivectin Tl Advanced Tightening Neck Cream,
$79.85$45.40 - buy here - Facemade 6 Pcs Makeup Sponges Set,
$19.99$7.99 - buy here - L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti Aging Eye Cream,
$24$13.96 - buy here - Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream,
$39.97$23.08 - buy here - Lancome Tonique Eclat Clarifying Exfoliating Toner,
$54$28.94 - buy here - Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Antioxidant Recovery Eye Cream,
$27.20$21.95 - buy here - Michael Kors Jet Set Tote Bag,
$280$113.22 - buy here - Cate & Chloe Blake Necklace,
$135$24.99 - buy here
"Over the past few years, we have rolled out new Hosted Checkouts in a number of our stores," the website said.
Read More on The US Sun
"Our associates working in the Customer Host role can show customers to available registers, help them through the checkout process and answer any questions they may have."
The store said the hosted checkout is meant to help with the customer experience by giving shoppers the human interaction self-checkout machines lack.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
