SHOPPERS have been pleading with the store to get rid of a store policy that has been plaguing them for years.
Some customers have been overjoyed after seeing self-checkout closed at their Walmart location, causing some to hope that it could become a permanent change.
Shoppers took to X (formerly known as Twitter) after they noticed their local stores seemingly stopped using self-checkout.
“Went to Walmart on Ft Apache last night and self-checkout was blocked off. Almost every checkout was open and lines were super long. Heard they are getting rid of self-checkout,” one person wrote
“Walmart is closing down the self-checkout stations due to items being stolen! This is a win for the ppl. Keep stealing! y’all done opened some jobs up,” another person wrote.
The idea of using self-checkout has been a controversial take among some Walmart shoppers.
Many have preferred a cashier, and one person even walked out of a store because of it.
After retailers like Safeway and Target quietly abandoned self-checkout in California, many were hoping Walmart would follow suit.
However, despite customers becoming excited about the potential of getting rid of self-checkout for good, it’s here to stay.
Walmart has previously confirmed that its policy on self-checkouts varies between stores, but they have no intention of removing it altogether.
In a statement to The U.S. Sun, Walmart’s press office director Joe Pennington confirmed the chain’s stance.
Pennington said: “We continually look at ways to provide our customers with the best shopping experience and that includes adjusting the checkout area in stores.
“There are no current plans for self-checkout removals nationwide.”
Instead of abandoning the concept, the retailer has been looking for ways to improve it.
The company is looking to incorporate more of its associates into the self-checkout process, to save customers time and money.
“Over the past few years, we have rolled out new Hosted Checkouts in a number of our stores,” Walmart said.
“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.”
Walmart claims the new checkout process is designed to “help customers complete their shopping even faster.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart for comment.