Why American Retailers Are Copying Europes Self-Checkout Ban

Episode 29 of Retail Conversations dives into the growing backlash against self-checkout in the United States. Lucas and Luna explore how several major European retailers—including the UK's Booths supermarket chain and Germany's Netto—have begun removing or restricting self-checkout lanes, citing customer experience, theft, and labor concerns. They examine the data behind the shift: a 2024 study found that self-checkout failure rates at US grocers hit nearly 20 percent, and shrinkage rates at self-checkout lanes are double those of staffed lanes. The hosts discuss which American retailers are quietly following suit, including Target's new item-limit policy and Dollar General's removal of self-checkout from 300 stores. They also consider the counterargument: that self-checkout remains essential for labor-strapped retailers and that the technology is improving. The episode ends by asking whether this is a permanent retreat or a temporary correction. #SelfCheckoutBacklash #RetailTrends2026 #GroceryStores #Booths #Netto #Target #DollarGeneral #CustomerExperience #RetailShrinkage #LaborShortage #EuropeanRetail #CheckoutInnovation #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #RetailConversations #LucasAndLuna #June2026 #ConsumerBehavior Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo