Many stores began to prioritize self-checkout options during the pandemic as a way to lower costs and help balance reduced workforces, but some major retailers seem to be having a change of heart when it comes to self-checkout lanes.
What's Going On:
Retailers are reporting increased amounts of "shrinkage," the industry term for the loss of goods caused by shoplifting, employee theft, fraud and other related events. According to the 2023 National Retail Security Survey, retailers saw $112.1 billion in losses from shrinkage in 2022, up from $93.9 billion in 2021.
Interestingly, the rise in shrinkage coincides with an increased number of self-checkout registers. ...