Target customers are frustrated with the store's new policy of reducing the hours for self-checkout registers.
This change means shoppers must wait longer in line for a cashier. In February, Target employees revealed that the limited hours would be implemented at some stores.
Target's Checkout Policy Frustrates Shoppers
Target stores can close their self-checkout kiosks early in the morning and late in the evening. This decision is part of reducing "missing inventory" but has led to significant customer dissatisfaction.
One annoyed shopper shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Target closing their self-checkout has made going to Target quite unbearable. It pisses me off, actually."
Another customer echoed this frustration: "My local Target closed the self-checkout lines, so it was back to waiting an eternity to get checked out."
Target's strategy to curb theft at self-checkout stations is causing frustration among its customers. "I get that they want to stop theft at self-checkouts. But why make us suffer? Open more registers! I almost walked out," one shopper expressed.
When self-checkouts are closed, only one or two staffed registers are usually open, resulting in significantly longer wait times. "It's ridiculous; only one register is open, and there is no self-checkout. It's like the holiday rush all over again. They need to improve," complained another customer.
According to the U.S. Sun, these changes have annoyed customers so much that some are considering stopping their shopping at Target altogether.
"The whole thing where @Target has the self-checkout lines closed until a certain time in the morning is the dumbest thing ever," remarked Doctor Utopia on X. "I literally just walked out. I'm not waiting in a line for 20 minutes just to get a few items. With my anxiety, too, I don't want to talk to a cashier."
Another shopper noted the impact of these changes on their shopping habits. "Target closing self-checkout? Target in Grass Valley had the self-checkout closed and only two registers open," they shared. The cashier told me that self-checkout is closed until 11 a.m. each day. I guess I'll shop more on Amazon."
Also Read: Walmart Urged to Adopt Sam's Club's AI Receipt Verification to Enhance Shopping Experience
Employees Discuss Target's Varying Self-Checkout Hours
Target has not yet implemented new self-checkout policies across nearly 2,000 stores. According to employees who spoke to Business Insider, factors like store staffing levels and sales volumes are crucial in deciding whether to implement these changes.
Workers revealed that Target aims to keep the proportion of sales through self-checkout below a specific threshold. Most Target stores operate from 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
However, discussions on Reddit's r/Target forum indicate that in some locations, self-checkout lanes are only open from around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. An employee from Illinois confirmed that her store's self-checkout times had been shortened and were no longer available after 8 p.m.
Employees from Oklahoma and Michigan reported that their stores have not adopted the new schedule. They are worried about insufficient staff to manage full-service lanes effectively, which could lead to extended customer waiting times. Business Insider has confirmed these employees' positions but has chosen not to identify them as they are not cleared to speak with the media.
Target has yet to comment on these reports.
A worker from Michigan expressed concern about customer reactions to the restricted self-checkout times. "If and when we do have to close the self-checkouts in the morning and the evening, we're going to have a lot of people distraught with us," he said. "I must explain that they are closed down due to theft."
Related Article: Target's New Age Check Policy Sparks Outrage Among Mall Shoppers
