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The real reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing more self-checkouts — as states and NYC push limits

Nypost · · 635 words · By Brooke Steinberg
Retail Automation and Labor Changes State and Local Regulation of Retail Technology Retail Theft and Security Concerns
open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-target-and-costco-are…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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Cherry Picking 60% confidence
Selectively presenting evidence that supports one side while ignoring contrary evidence.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

20 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 10
check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 2
report Misleading 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
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“Some major retailers are doing away with self-checkouts as legislators fight for stricter regulations on self-checkout systems.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results report that major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco are removing or rethinking self-checkout systems. The reasons cited include theft concerns and legislative pressure, confirming the general trend described in the claim. (Sources: [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: Some major retailers are doing away with self-checkouts as legislators fight for stricter regulations on self-checkout systems. [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to... | Daily Mail Online: 'Walmart isn’t just removing self check out,' financial expert Ted Jenkins told the Daily Mail. He argued that the retailer is 'quietly admitting' that when theft leads to major financial loss, there are repercussions. [web_search] Top Retailer Removing Majority of Self-Checkouts - What Store Will...: Self-checkout services have always been a mixed bag for customers, but one thing seems sure: Those kiosks are a hit with retail thieves. And stores are noticing.)
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web search NEUTRAL — Some major retailers are doing away with self-checkouts as legislators fight for stricter regulations on self-checkout systems.
https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-t…
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web search NEUTRAL — 'Walmart isn’t just removing self check out,' financial expert Ted Jenkins told the Daily Mail. He argued that the retailer is 'quietly admitting' that when theft leads to major financial loss, there …
https://www.dailymail.com/yourmoney/article-15776269/walmart…
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web search NEUTRAL — Self-checkout services have always been a mixed bag for customers, but one thing seems sure: Those kiosks are a hit with retail thieves. And stores are noticing. America’s largest retailers moved to e…
https://www.westernjournal.com/top-retailer-removing-majorit…
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“Among those brands, Walmart is eliminating self-checkout machines as the retail giant continues their experiment with automation.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Walmart is eliminating or rolling back self-checkout machines. While some sources mention other retailers (Target, Costco), the focus on Walmart's removal is consistent across the evidence. (Sources: [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: Among those brands, Walmart is eliminating self-checkout machines as the retail giant continues their experiment with automation. [web_search] Walmart surprises everyone with this move regarding its...: Although eliminating self-checkout machines may seem like a step backward, Walmart remains committed to investing in technology. [web_search] Self-checkout theft is on the rise as Walmart, Dollar... - The Mirror US: Aldi denied removing self-checkout from all stores, but it did remove the machines at some groceries in the Chicago area, according to Supermarket News. Dollar General also decided to eliminate self-checkout in March 2024. The company has shifted to)
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web search NEUTRAL — Among those brands, Walmart is eliminating self-checkout machines as the retail giant continues their experiment with automation.Retailers are removing self-checkout machines — but not because of cust…
https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-t…
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web search NEUTRAL — Although eliminating self-checkout machines may seem like a step backward, Walmart remains committed to investing in technology. The company is now focused on finding safer, more efficient alternative…
https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/20250622/725006/walmart…
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web search NEUTRAL — Aldi denied removing self-checkout from all stores, but it did remove the machines at some groceries in the Chicago area, according to Supermarket News. Dollar General also decided to eliminate self-c…
https://www.themirror.com/lifestyle/shopping/self-checkout-w…
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“The retailer has been slowly removing their machines from its stores to go old school and bring back traditional cashier lanes.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results state that Walmart is removing self-checkout machines and replacing them with traditional cashier lanes, indicating a shift back to older methods. (Sources: [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to traditional lanes ...: Walmart is showing self-checkout machines the door at additional supercenters as the retail giant's automation experiment continues to unravel. The world's biggest retailer removed the machines from its South Philadelphia store in March, and brought [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: 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 ... [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to... | Daily Mail Online: The world’s biggest retailer removed the machines from its South Philadelphia store in March, and brought back traditional cashier lanes. It's only the latest location to ax self-checkout. A Walmart store in Missouri removed all self-checkout machine)
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web search NEUTRAL — Walmart is showing self-checkout machines the door at additional supercenters as the retail giant's automation experiment continues to unravel. The world's biggest retailer removed the machines from i…
https://www.dailymail.com/yourmoney/article-15776269/walmart…
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web search NEUTRAL — Walmart's shift from self-checkout in 2025 brings more staffed lanes, exclusive Walmart+ perks, and new tech—see how these changes impact your shopping.
https://blog.cloudpick.ai/walmarts-shift-from-self-checkout-…
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web search NEUTRAL — 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 ...
https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-t…
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“The latest location to dump its self-checkout was in South Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results specifically mention that Walmart removed self-checkout machines from a location in South Philadelphia. (Sources: [web_search] Self-checkout gone at South Philly Walmart: Walmart’s rollback of self-checkout continues. This time in South Philadelphia.Walmart has decided to roll back self-checkout at its South Philadelphia location. [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: The latest location to dump its self-checkout was in South Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to... | Daily Mail Online: The world’s biggest retailer removed the machines from its South Philadelphia store in March, and brought back traditional cashier lanes. It's only the latest location to ax self-checkout. A Walmart store in Missouri removed all self-checkout machine)
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web search NEUTRAL — Walmart’s rollback of self-checkout continues. This time in South Philadelphia.Walmart has decided to roll back self-checkout at its South Philadelphia location.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/walmart-self-checko…
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web search NEUTRAL — The latest location to dump its self-checkout was in South Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported .Retailers are removing self-checkout machines — but not because of customer service. Helayn…
https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-t…
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web search NEUTRAL — The world’s biggest retailer removed the machines from its South Philadelphia store in March, and brought back traditional cashier lanes. It's only the latest location to ax self-checkout. A Walmart s…
https://www.dailymail.com/yourmoney/article-15776269/walmart…
report
“A company spokesperson insisted to the outlet that the shift is about customer service, presenting it as a way to shorten lines and increase efficiency.”
MISLEADING
While the claim states a spokesperson insisted the shift is *about* customer service, the evidence from multiple sources contradicts this by stating that the removal is primarily due to financial loss and theft concerns, not customer service. The claim presents the company's stated reason (customer service) while ignoring the widely reported, more accurate reason (theft/financial loss). (Sources: [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: Retailers are removing self-checkout machines — but not because of customer service. Helayne Seidman for the NY Post. [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to... | Daily Mail Online: 'Walmart isn’t just removing self check out,' financial expert Ted Jenkins told the Daily Mail. He argued that the retailer is 'quietly admitting' that when theft leads to major financial loss, there are repercussions. [web_search] Walmart's Sudden Change to Self-Checkout Policy Disrupts the ... - MSN: The retail landscape trembled when Walmart, the world's largest retailer with $681 billion in global revenue, began pulling the plug on self-checkout systems across numerous stores. This seismic ...)
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web search NEUTRAL — Retailers are removing self-checkout machines — but not because of customer service. Helayne Seidman for the NY Post A company spokesperson insisted to the outlet that the shift is about ...
https://nypost.com/2026/04/30/lifestyle/the-reason-walmart-t…
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web search NEUTRAL — Walmart is rolling out major changes for customers in some states, removing self-checkout machines relied on by many shoppers. Two stores—one in St. Louis, Missouri, and the other in Cleveland ...
https://www.newsweek.com/walmart-replacing-self-checkout-sta…
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web search NEUTRAL — The retail landscape trembled when Walmart, the world's largest retailer with $681 billion in global revenue, began pulling the plug on self-checkout systems across numerous stores. This seismic ...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/walmart-s-sudden-c…
info
““These changes are guided by feedback from associates and customers, local shopping patterns, and the needs of the business in each community,” the spokesperson said, adding the change aimed to “improve the checkout experience and enable associates to provide more personalized customer service.””
SINGLE SOURCE
This specific quote and detailed explanation regarding the decision being based on 'feedback from associates and customers, local shopping patterns' is only found in the web search results and is not corroborated by other independent sources. (Sources: [web_search] Walmart's Self-Checkout Strategy and Its Recent Changes: Walmart is replacing self-checkout in these states - Newsweek: Apr 23, 2024 · Walmart is removing self-checkout kiosks at select locations, including two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland, in favor of associate-staffed checkout lines, Business Insider reported last week and a Walmart spokesperson con)
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web search NEUTRAL — Jul 17, 2025 · The survey does not let customers explain their low ratings, making it hard for Walmart to understand the real issues. These points highlight that while some shoppers enjoy the speed an…
https://blog.cloudpick.ai/walmarts-self-checkout-strategy-re…
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 23, 2024 · Walmart is removing self-checkout kiosks at select locations, including two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland, in favor of associate-staffed checkout lines, Business Insider…
https://www.customerexperiencedive.com/news/walmart-removes-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Walmart's decision to pull back on self-checkout is forcing the entire industry to reconsider what once seemed like an unstoppable march toward full automation. What's behind this...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/walmart-s-abrupt-s…
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“A December 2025 Lending Tree survey found that 69% of people who use them believe they make it easier to steal, and many self-checkout users admitted to theft, whether intentionally or unintentionally.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results cite the same LendingTree survey findings: that 69% of users believe self-checkout makes it easier to steal. (Sources: [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: A December 2025 Lending Tree survey found that 69% of people who use them believe they make it easier to steal, and many self-checkout users admitted to theft , whether intentionally or unintentionally. [web_search] Walmart axes self-checkouts and switches back to... | Daily Mail Online: Lending Tree found that 69 percent of people who use self-checkout believe they make it easier to steal.)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 68 Ventures Bowl is a postseason NCAA-sanctioned Division I FBS college football bowl game that has been played annually in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. In 2021, the game was moved from Ladd–Peeble…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/68_Ventures_Bowl
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Douglas Lebda (January 29, 1970 – October 12, 2025) was an American financial services executive who was the founder and CEO of fintech company LendingTree. Lebda started LendingTree after a frustrati…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Lebda
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Following the fall of the Assad regime after offensives by opposition groups in early December 2024, there were clashes between Assad loyalists and forces of the new Syrian caretaker government in th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Syria_clashes
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“A whopping 27% have purposefully taken an item without scanning.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results cite the same LendingTree survey finding that 27% of users purposefully take items without scanning. (Sources: [web_search] Self-checkout theft is on the rise as Walmart, Dollar... - The Mirror US: New LendingTree research found that 27% of self-checkout users have purposefully taken an item without scanning it. [web_search] Self-checkout theft: 1 in 4 users say they've stolen, survey finds: More than 1 in 4 self-checkout shoppers admit they’ve stolen: SurveyLendingTree: 27% of self-checkout users say they’ve intent [web_search] The reason Walmart, Target and Costco are axing self-checkouts: A December 2025 Lending Tree survey found that 69% of people who use them believe they make it easier to steal, and many self-checkout users admitted to theft , whether intentionally or unintentionally. A whopping 27% have purposefully taken an item)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Consumer behaviour is the study of individuals, groups, or organisations and all activities associated with the purchase, use and disposal of goods and services. It encompasses how the consumer's emot…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_behaviour
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Each entry on this list of common misconceptions is worded as a correction; the misconceptions themselves are implied rather than stated. These entries are concise summaries; the main subject articles…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_misconceptions_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The COVID-19 pandemic was first reported in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019. The origins of the virus have subsequently led to an increase in acts and displays of sinophobia, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobia_and_racism_related_…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“Meanwhile, 36% of users admitted they’ve accidentally left with an unscanned item, and though they didn’t intentionally steal, 61% who accidentally took something said they kept it the last time.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific statistics regarding 36% admitting accidental theft and 61% admitting to keeping items are not corroborated by other independent sources. They appear to be drawn from the Wikipedia results, but the web search results do not repeat these precise figures. (Sources: [wikipedia] Wikipedia: [No specific source cited for these numbers, only the claim itself is listed with Wikipedia results, but the web search results do not confirm the specific percentages.)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An anaesthetic machine (British English) or anesthesia machine (American English) is a medical device used to generate and mix a fresh gas flow of medical gases and inhalational anaesthetic agents for…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaesthetic_machine
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Criticism of Google includes concern for tax avoidance, misuse and manipulation of search results, its use of others' intellectual property, concerns that its compilation of data may violate people's …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Google
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Each entry on this list of common misconceptions is worded as a correction; the misconceptions themselves are implied rather than stated. These entries are concise summaries; the main subject articles…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_misconceptions_…
help
““Largely unattended self-checkouts provide a potential opportunity for folks to help themselves,” Matt Schultz, LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst, said in a statement.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim, as indicated by the evidence count and the search results provided.
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“Retail expert Neil Saunders agreed that self-checkout stations have led to high rates of theft because of both purposeful actions and “accidental mistakes,” he told the Daily Mail.”
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““Forcing more customers to use manned checkouts resolves a lot of these issues and saves retailers money,” he explained.”
PENDING
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““Walmart regularly reviews stores based on theft and customer experience and takes self checkout out of their highest theft stores,” retail expert Bryan Gildenberg told the Daily Mail.”
PENDING
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“In 2024, Dollar General removed self-checkouts from 12,000 stores nationwide.”
PENDING
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“Last year, Sam’s Club, a subsidiary of Walmart, announced it would remove self-checkout machines in favor of AI-powered “scan and go” technology.”
PENDING
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“Costco has begun rolling out a similar technology, but they reportedly don’t have plans to get rid of self-checkout.”
PENDING
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“While standing in line for checkout, a Costco staff member will come to your cart and scan all of the items. Once you reach the register, you’ll scan your membership card, and all of the scanned items will load on the screen. All you have to do at that point is pay.”
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“The move comes as legislators in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington have been looking to enact laws that would require a balance between self-checkout stations and employee-operated stations, a certain number of employees per self-checkout, and/or limits on the items that can be brought through self-checkout, USA Today reported.”
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“Earlier this year, New York City Council member Amanda Farías (D-Bronx) introduced an amendment to the city code that would impose a 15-item limit for shoppers using the self-checkout lanes in NYC supermarkets and pharmacies.”
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“It would also require stores to have one employee per every three self-checkouts.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.