Target, the popular American retail chain, will be implementing some changes to payment methods to combat theft in stores. The main change will involve limiting the number of items that can be self-scanned at the self-checkout to 10 items per purchase. This decision follows similar measures taken by other retail giants like Walmart and Costco.
The new system, named “Express Self Checkout,” has been tested in approximately 200 Target stores and will now be rolled out to around 2,000 establishments. Target believes that this new system will improve efficiency and customer experience in the stores. Additionally, more cashiers staffed by employees will be installed to assist with the checkout process.
This move comes after studies have shown that a percentage of users of self-checkout systems, approximately 15%, have been found to steal products. The majority of consumers also reportedly prefer to pay at human-controlled cash registers, according to research from Drexel University.
Target hopes that these changes will help prevent store thefts and streamline the purchasing process for customers. Retailers have been investing in self-payment systems since the pandemic began, initially to prevent the spread of the virus. Now, with these new modifications, Target aims to provide a better shopping experience for its customers.