Supermarket chain Tesco is set to be phasing out the use of traditional manned checkouts as self-service tills have become increasingly popular with shoppers.
The move is said to be down to a 'lack of customer demand', as the supermarket has seen success with its larger self-checkout services for larger shops. The retailer has said its larger self-checkout services had proven to be rather popular with shoppers, as up to six bags at once can be packed in the bigger self-checkout areas.
It comes just as the supermarket has faced criticism from shoppers who have urged the retailer to bring back staff members reports Birmingham Live. Over 218,000 shoppers have signed a petition Change.org asking for Tesco to stop adding self-service tills in their branches.
A Tesco spokeswoman told The Grocer : “We are proud to offer customers choice when it comes to checkouts, and after successful trials we are introducing new trolley-accessible self-service checkouts in some of our stores, which have more room and are easier to use for larger shops.
“Our colleagues and the friendly service they provide are absolutely vital to our stores – they will always be on hand to help our customers, and will continue to operate attended checkouts so that customers can choose the option they prefer.”
Grocery Insight chief executive Steve Dresser told The Grocer the move was in-line with an increasing trend for moving to focus on self-service checkouts.
“[Supermarkets] are moving to dedicated checkouts rather than empty manned checkouts, which naturally are linked to the hours given to the front end,” he said.
“Of course, there are savings to be made losing the manned checkouts, but the reality is, you rarely see checkouts open these days en masse anyway, so it’s underutilised space. It’s not always positive for customers, however, as some may feel forced into self-service options.”
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