The practice in question involves a retail corporation implementing a fee or surcharge for customers who opt to use the self-checkout lanes within their stores. For instance, a shopper might be required to pay a small amount, either a flat fee or a percentage of their total purchase, if they choose to scan and bag their own items at the self-service registers.
Such a strategy could be implemented to offset operational costs associated with maintaining these self-service areas. Historically, self-checkout lanes were introduced to reduce labor expenses and improve customer throughput. However, factors like increased rates of theft and the need for dedicated staff to assist customers using the technology have presented new financial considerations. Exploring alternative revenue streams like the one described could be a response to these shifting economic realities.
