I agree. It seems to be ok if it's just a few items, and if the employee isn't being needed to supervise more than four self-checkout stations, like at Lowes or Home Depot.
But stores that go overboard on this (like Walmart) are incentivizing us to actually spend less and definitely not fill a cart. An employee staring at us like we're robbing the store doesn't help either when we're trying to do things properly. I always feel like a SWAT team is standing by in case I put something on the wrong side, and the stores are happy that I feel that way because perhaps then I'm less likely to steal, but really I'm more likely to click "Buy Now" on a website.
Best Buy is an example of a store that has processes that are mostly welcoming, even with relatively high-value and easily shoplifted items, and they don't have or need self-checkouts. Perhaps that's because their margins are higher or because they have such a short distance between their segregated checkout areas and the anti-theft associate standing by the door.
But stores that go overboard on this (like Walmart) are incentivizing us to actually spend less and definitely not fill a cart. An employee staring at us like we're robbing the store doesn't help either when we're trying to do things properly. I always feel like a SWAT team is standing by in case I put something on the wrong side, and the stores are happy that I feel that way because perhaps then I'm less likely to steal, but really I'm more likely to click "Buy Now" on a website.
Best Buy is an example of a store that has processes that are mostly welcoming, even with relatively high-value and easily shoplifted items, and they don't have or need self-checkouts. Perhaps that's because their margins are higher or because they have such a short distance between their segregated checkout areas and the anti-theft associate standing by the door.